Modelling binaural speech intelligibility in spatial noise and reverberation for normal-hearing and hearing-impaired subjects [Elektronische Ressource] / von Rainer Beutelmann

Modelling binaural speech intelligibility inspatial noise and reverberation fornormal-hearing and hearing-impaired subjectsVon der Fakult¨ at fur¨ Mathematik und Naturwissenschaftender Carl-von-Ossietzky-Universit¨ at Oldenburgzur Erlangung des Grades und Titels einesDoktors der Naturwissenschaften (Dr. rer. nat.)angenommene Dissertationvon HerrnDipl.-Phys. Rainer Beutelmanngeboren am 23. Juni 1977in MainzGutachter: Prof. Dr. Dr. Birger KollmeierZweitgutachter: Prof. Dr. Volker MellertTag der Disputation: 3. November 2008AbstractSpeech intelligibility in complex situations, the so-called “cocktail party problem”(Cherry, 1953), is strongly affected by the ability of the listener to use both ears,that is to use binaural hearing. Differences in sound source location between targetand interferer may cause differences in the speech reception threshold (the signal-to-noise ratio at which an intelligibility of 50% is achieved) of up to 12dB in anechoicconditions (Bronkhorst, 2000). The number and position of sound sources, reflectionsand reverberation, and several other factors influence the amount of binaural unmasking.Especially for hearing-impaired listeners, this benefit due to binaural hearing or itsabsence can be essential.