Grad Seminar: Assessment of Acoustic Markers of Conversational Difficulty
Abstract
Human conversations, one of the most complex behaviors, require the real-time coordination
of speech production and comprehension, involving cognitive, social, and biological
dimensions. To better capture the essence of everyday interactions, there is a growing need for advanced laboratory and clinical assessments. Traditional tests often fall short in addressing the real-time coordination of speech production and comprehension, especially in diverse contexts and challenging environments.
Our research addresses this gap through two key investigations:
1) Study on Hearing-Impaired Communication with Face Masks and Remote Microphones: This study extends previous research by examining the impact of face masks and remote microphones on communication dynamics among hearing-impaired individuals. It aims to understand how these factors influence conversational behaviour in different listening environments.
2) Study on the Effect of Conversation Type on Normal-Hearing Communication: This investigation explores how different types of conversations (free-form vs. task-based) and the presence of background noise affect conversational dynamics among normal-hearing participants. It seeks to explore how these variables influence speech production and interaction patterns.
The findings highlight the importance of considering both environmental conditions and conversation
types when researching speech perception, production, and conversational dynamics. This
research provides valuable insights for academic studies and the development of hearing-assistive
technologies, emphasizing the need for assessments that reflect the varied nature
of everyday communication.
Presenter
Menatalla Khaled Ellag, MASc candidate in Systems Design Engineering
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