Investigating the effects of speech enhancement and compression algorithms for hearing protection devices in noisy environments

佩戴听力保护装置(HPD)时，在噪声中进行言语交流往往是困难的。我们的工业合作伙伴EERS为在嘈杂环境中工作的工人开发了创新的听力保护、通信和监测技术。他们的工业听力保护器(SonX)有效地屏蔽了破坏性噪音，同时允许工作人员在不拆卸设备的情况下通过个人无线电进行交流。在这个项目中，我们计划实施和评估最近开发的语音增强和压缩算法，这些算法旨在最大限度地提高语音清晰度和消除噪音，同时佩戴SonX听力保护器。关键是，这些算法的性能还没有在SonX产品的电声特性中进行研究，SonX产品被设计用于非常嘈杂的环境。在这个项目中，我们将首先从称为听觉研究平台(ARP3)的通用PC平台开始实施这些算法，然后在EERS的SonX产品上实施这些算法。然后，我们将通过对语音质量进行人类感知测试来评估这些算法的性能。该项目的结果将被EERS用来调整SonX产品的算法，并验证它们的好处。该项目将通过提高高度创新的SonX产品线的性能和适销性，产生重大的经济影响。此外，我们将在生物医学工程、信息技术和软件开发领域培训高素质人才，这些领域是加拿大就业市场需求很大的领域。

Verbal communication in noise while wearing hearing protection devices (HPDs) is often difficult. Ourindustrial partner, EERS, has developed innovative hearing protection, communication and monitoringtechnology for workers of noisy environments. Their industrial hearing protectors (SonX) efficiently block outdamaging noise while allowing workers to communicate over personal radio without removing their devices.In this project, we are planning to implement and evaluate recently developed speech enhancement andcompression algorithms that are designed to maximize speech intelligibility and noise removal while wearingSonX hearing protectors. Critically, the performance of these algorithms has not yet been studied within theelectroacoustic characteristics of the SonX product, which is designed to be used in very noisy environments.In this project, we will first implement these algorithms starting with a versatile PC platform, dubbed theAuditory Research Platform (ARP3), and later on the SonX product at EERS. Then, we will evaluate theperformance of these algorithms by conducting human perceptual testing of speech quality. The results fromthis project will be used by EERS to tune the algorithms for the SonX product and validate their benefits. Thisproject will have significant economic impact by improving the performance and marketability of the highlyinnovative SonX product line. In addition, we will train highly qualified personnel in the areas of biomedicalengineering, information technology, and software development, areas that in high demand in the Canadian jobmarket.