Computer-Based Speech-Reception Training

描述（由申请人提供）：听力损失人士的一个常见抱怨是，他们在嘈杂的环境中很难理解言语。不幸的是，助听器会放大语音和背景噪音。通过磨练听力技巧，在一定程度上提高在噪音中说话的理解力是可能的。将开发一种自我引导训练系统，以帮助助听器用户提高在背景噪音存在下理解语音的能力。人们将利用现代技术，如相对便宜的个人电脑，或更便宜的DVD播放机，开发一种方便、有趣和易于使用的系统。其目的是开发一个将被广泛使用的系统，从而改善大量听力损失患者的生活质量。与公共卫生相关的视听培训材料将用于一项自我指导培训计划，以帮助助听器使用者提高在嘈杂环境中接受言语的技能。将进行三个实验来评估培训系统。第一个实验将评估该系统的计算机版本。在为期6周的培训后，将对助听器的新用户和有经验的用户在噪音环境下的语音接收改善情况进行测量。第二个实验将评估两个基于dvd的培训计划版本。第三个实验将只使用试听来评估培训系统。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): A common complaint by people with hearing loss is the great difficulty they experience in understanding speech in a noisy environment. Hearing aids, unfortunately, amplify both speech and background noise. It is possible to improve speech understanding in noise to some extent by honing one's listening skills. A self-guiding training system will be developed to help hearing-aid users improve their ability to understand speech in the presence of background noise. Modern technology will be used, such as a relatively inexpensive personal computer, or an even less expensive DVD player, to develop a system that is convenient, entertaining and easy to use. The intent is to develop a system that will be widely used, thereby improving the quality of life for substantial numbers of people with hearing loss. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE Audio-visual training materials will be developed for a self-guiding training program to help hearing-aid users improve their speech reception skills in a noisy environment. Three experiments will be performed to evaluate the training system. The first experiment will evaluate a computer-based version of the system. The improvement in speech reception in noise will be measured for both new and experienced users of hearing aids after a 6-week training period. The second experiment will evaluate two DVD-based versions of the training program. The third experiment will evaluate the training system using audition only.