空间AI在挑战性多人噪声中提高助听器佩戴者的言语清晰度

文献信息

中文摘要

目的： 我们在Fortell AI助听器上评估了空间AI模型，以观察其相对于采用基于神经网络的降噪的市售对照助听器，在单方位多人嘈杂语声中是否改善言语清晰度。
设计： 在一项预注册、双盲、随机对照试验中，助听器使用者佩戴Fortell和对照设备完成QuickSIN测试。两种设备均设置为最大化方向性和降噪。还计算了客观指标。
样本： 30名患有轻度至中重度双侧感音神经性听力损失的成年人。
结果： 研究性助听器在言语清晰度方面显示出显著改善，在+6、0和-6 dB的SNR下，比值比分别为6.0、10.6和18.9（所有p ≪ 0.0001）。SNR-50改善了9.2 dB，所有参与者使用研究性设备正确识别了更多单词。实验室测量显示，对照设备相对于未助听的SNR改善为2.3 dB，研究性助听器为15.5 dB。HASPI v2显示出相似水平的SNR改善。
结论： 空间AI在受控的单方位多人配置中产生了显著的清晰度益处。效应量大大超过了临床显著性的既定阈值，表明该算法可能有助于解决听力受损听者的鸡尾酒会问题。

英文摘要

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the Spatial AI model on the Fortell AI hearing aids to see if it improves speech intelligibility in single-azimuth multitalker babble relative to a commercially available control hearing aid employing neural-network-based noise-reduction.
DESIGN: In a pre-registered, double-blind, randomised controlled trial, hearing aid users completed a QuickSIN test wearing the Fortell and control devices. Both devices were set to maximise directionality and noise reduction. Objective metrics were also calculated.
SAMPLE: Thirty adults with mild to moderately-severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss.
RESULTS: The investigational hearing aid showed significant improvements in speech intelligibility, with odds ratios of 6.0, 10.6 and 18.9 across SNRs of +6, 0, and -6 dB (all p ≪ 0.0001). The SNR-50 improved by 9.2 dB and all participants identified more words correctly using the investigational device. Lab measurements showed an SNR improvement over unaided of 2.3 dB with the control device and 15.5 dB with the investigational hearing aid. HASPI v2 showed a similar level of SNR improvement.
CONCLUSIONS: Spatial AI yields substantial intelligibility benefits in a controlled single-azimuth multitalker configuration. The effect sizes greatly exceeded established thresholds for clinical significance, suggesting that the algorithm may help address the cocktail party problem for hearing-impaired listeners.