Need
In auditory training, patients are exposed to sound with varying levels of signal to noise ratios (SNR) in order to teach them how to better distinguish sound from noise. Precise control of the SNR is usually achieved using soundproof rooms with low ambient noise. The patient listens to the output signal, which consists of a training signal mixed with introduced noise from a controlled source. Currently, there are no wearable devices that can replicate the control over SNR achieved by audiology clinics.
In order to make auditory training more convenient for patients and more integrated into daily life, a portable controlled-noise environment needs to be designed so that patients can train in noisy, everyday environments. This requires the ability to adjust the amount of noise reduction provided to achieve correct SNR. The client envisions auditory training with actual ambient noise in place of or in addition to introduced noise, which provides a more realistic noise environment.
In order to make auditory training more convenient for patients and more integrated into daily life, a portable controlled-noise environment needs to be designed so that patients can train in noisy, everyday environments. This requires the ability to adjust the amount of noise reduction provided to achieve correct SNR. The client envisions auditory training with actual ambient noise in place of or in addition to introduced noise, which provides a more realistic noise environment.
Problem Definition
A portable controlled-noise environment (PCNE) is required to produce an auditory signal with a range of desired signal-to-noise ratios. The amount of noise introduced in the output signal is determined by the desired SNR and ambient noise level. Specifically, the PCNE will include a physical apparatus, a noise-processing system, and a speaker. The physical apparatus will allow the user to wear the device and will interface with a smartphone. The PCNE must interface with the auditory training regimen software developed in Dr. Ledbetter’s project, which provides the training signal and desired signal-to-noise ratio and samples the ambient noise environments. Then, the noise-processing system will quantify ambient noise and adjust the amount of attenuation. This component will analyze the ambient noise, desired speech signal amplitude, and desired SNR to produce a mixed signal consisting of ambient noise, introduced noise, and the training signal at the correct SNR. The speaker will output the mixed signal, which the patient uses for auditory training. Finally, in the context of the larger research project, the device would record samples of ambient noise and amount of noise reduction achieved.
Scope
The goal of the project is to deliver:
- Detailed design specifications for manufacturing the PCNE, that meet the size, interfacing, and noise-processing requirements
- A plan for evaluating the device’s real-world efficacy, safety, and practicality.
- A plan to modify existing devices to create the PCNE, to support Auditory Training research by Dennis Barbour, Ph.D et al.