Investigating the relationship between directional microphones, compression, and working memory in realistic spatial conditions

项目总结 助听器有专门的功能，以改善听力受损的听者获得声音的机会。这个 选择合适的助听器设置是听力康复过程中不可或缺的一部分。研究人员和 临床医生受到了先前工作的影响，这项工作表明，个人的认知能力，包括工作 记忆与助听器的益处有关，尤其是在不利的听力条件下。但是，以前的 研究仅限于全方位麦克风设置和不切实际的收听条件。这样的条件 没有认识到大多数助听器都配有定向处理，这可能会提高听力 环境，并且典型环境在一系列空间位置中包含语音和噪声信号。 因此，这项研究的主要目标是了解患者变量如何与助听器相互作用 在现实的听力条件下进行信号处理，以便有效地治疗听力受损的个体 对他们来说最重要的沟通情况。拟议的工作与NIDCD的工作一致 开展和支助干预(如助听器)行为研究和研究培训的特派团 替代丧失/受损的感觉和通信功能(即听力损失)。 具体目的是考察工作记忆与助听器信号处理之间的关系 (在存在传声器方向性的情况下的WDRC)空间条件下的方向性理想(目标1)和 真实的空间条件(目标2)。在一项临床试验中，听力受损的听众将使用可穿戴式助听器 使用不同的助听器处理设置(WDRC速度、麦克风方向性模式和 技术)并识别在不同收听条件下的语音(空间变化的语音和噪声)。 在不同条件下的表现将与听者的听觉能力和工作记忆能力有关 使用混合设计。现有的声学指标将用于将单个结果与整体信号相关联 不同条件下的保真度。 K01奖将使助听器协会能够在她现有的助听器研究和临床经验的基础上 并在以下领域提供有系统的培训：a)重点研究麦克风的影响 在现实空间条件下个人助听器结果的方向性，b)设计一项临床试验 可穿戴式助听器，以及c)提高科学交流技能。研究和培训经验 通过这个奖项将帮助PI实现她在以下领域进行严格的独立研究的长期目标 听障成年人的个性化护理。拟议的工作将在西北大学进行 Pamela Souza博士和Richard Freyman博士的指导下的大学。

Project summary Hearing aids have specialized features to improve access to sounds for the hearing-impaired listener. The choice of appropriate hearing aid settings is integral to the hearing rehabilitative process. Researchers and clinicians have been influenced by previous work showing that individual cognitive abilities, including working memory are associated with hearing aid benefit, especially in adverse listening conditions. However, previous research is limited to omnidirectional microphone settings and unrealistic listening conditions. Such conditions fail to recognize that most hearing aids are fit with directional processing that may improve the listening environment, and that typical environments contain speech and noise signals in a range of spatial locations. Therefore, the broad goal of this research is to understand how patient variables interact with hearing aid signal processing in realistic listening conditions in order to effectively treat hearing-impaired individuals in communications situations that are most important to them. The proposed work is in alignment with NIDCD's mission to conduct and support behavioral research and research training in interventions (i.e. hearing aids) that substitute for lost/impaired sensory and communication function (i.e., hearing loss). The specific aims examine the relationship between working memory and hearing aid signal processing (WDRC in the presence of microphone directionality) in spatial conditions ideal for directionality (Aim 1) and realistic spatial conditions (Aim 2). In a clinical trial, hearing-impaired listeners will use wearable hearing aids with different hearing aid processing settings (WDRC speeds, microphone directionality patterns and technology) and identify speech in different listening conditions (spatially varying speech and noise). Performance across conditions will be related to listeners' auditory abilities and working memory capacities using a mixed design. Existing acoustic metrics will be used to associate individual outcomes to overall signal fidelity across conditions. The K01 award will enable the PI to build upon her existing research and clinical experience with hearing aids and provide structured training in the following areas: a) focused research on the impact of microphone directionality on individual hearing aid outcomes in realistic spatial conditions, b) designing a clinical trial with wearable hearing aids, and c) advancing scientific communication skills. Research and training experience through this award will help the PI achieve her long-term goal of performing rigorous independent research in the individualized care of hearing-impaired adults. The proposed work will take place at Northwestern University under the mentorship of Dr. Pamela Souza and Dr. Richard Freyman.