Effects of hearing loss and language proficiency on speech intelligibility over radio transmission with tactical communication devices

Abstract

Objective: Study the effects of hearing loss and language proficiency in a speech task over radio transmission.

Design: Four TCAPS device conditions (2 models × 2 talk-through modes) were investigated with the Modified Rhyme Test (MRT) conducted in talker-listener pairs immersed in 85-dBA noise. Speech quality ratings and preferred radio volume levels were also collected.

Study sample: Thirty-six participants divided into three groups (control, non-fluent, hearing-impaired) took part in the experiment. Participants acted as talkers and listeners when paired with a unique standard individual (fluent and normal hearing) of the same gender.

Results: MRT scores were significantly lower in many device conditions when the non-fluent group of participants acted as listeners and talkers and when the hearing-impaired participants acted as listeners, compared to the control group. MRT results were also consistently poorer with one device configured for bone-conducted voice pick-up in the occluded ear compared to another one equipped with an external mouth microphone. Talk-through settings had little effect. MRT results were reflected in the subjective quality ratings. Participants with hearing loss used higher radio volume levels.

Conclusions: Language proficiency, hearing loss and method of sensing the talker’s voice are key issues to consider with TCAPS devices.

Keywords:

• Speech intelligibility
• tactical hearing protection systems
• hearing loss
• language proficiency
• military noise

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Sharon Abel who acted as scientific authority for the sponsor and provided valuable expertise and feedback throughout this project. We would like also to thank Gilles Lamothe for his help in performing the statistical analyses and Nicolas Ellaham in constructing the noise file and preparing the TCAPS devices. The authors appreciated the dedication of two PhD students who acted as standard male and female.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was funded under a contract by Department of National Defence of Canada.