Language-Neutral Speech Discrimination Test via Visual-Audio Sync
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current speech discrimination tests are language-dependent, require a hearing professional, and are influenced by semantic and syntactic knowledge, making them unsuitable for universal application and effective assessment of cochlear implant candidacy.
Innovation Solution
A speech discrimination testing system that presents visual images synchronized with speech sounds, allowing subjects to identify the lone speech sound without recognizing words, using a language-neutral format with adjustable signal-to-noise ratios, and capable of self-administration, which estimates the likelihood of improved results with cochlear implantation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional speech discrimination tests use language-based sentences, then speech comprehension ability can be assessed, but the test becomes language-dependent and influenced by semantic and syntactic knowledge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes language-specific elements (words, sentences, semantic content) from the test stimuli, retaining only phonetic speech sounds. This allows assessment of speech sound discrimination without contamination from language comprehension, semantic knowledge, or syntactic processing, thereby achieving language universality while maintaining assessment validity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of test stimuli from linguistic content (words/sentences) to non-linguistic phonetic sounds. This parameter transformation enables the test to be applied across different languages and cultures without requiring subjects to understand specific language meanings, thus resolving the language-dependency issue
2Measurement precision
If speech discrimination tests require sentence repetition, then speech comprehension can be measured, but the test requires a hearing professional to administer and interpret results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables subjects to self-administer the test by presenting visual images corresponding to speech sounds and allowing subjects to independently select and indicate their responses. The system automatically records and processes results, eliminating the need for a hearing professional to administer the test or interpret results, thereby reducing administrative complexity while maintaining measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a computer-based system as an intermediary between the test administrator and the subject. This intermediary handles stimulus presentation, response recording, and result analysis, replacing the need for professional interpretation while maintaining objective and precise measurement of speech discrimination ability
3Measurement precision
If speech tests use meaningful words and sentences, then speech comprehension is assessed, but the test is affected by working memory ability and semantic knowledge rather than pure hearing ability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the phonetic speech sound component from meaningful language, presenting sounds without semantic content. This extraction isolates the auditory discrimination task from higher-level cognitive processes such as working memory, semantic knowledge, and syntactic processing, thereby improving the reliability of hearing ability measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments speech into individual phonetic sounds or sound sequences, presenting them in isolation rather than as integrated meaningful sentences. This segmentation allows assessment of basic speech sound discrimination ability independent of language comprehension processes, ensuring that measured performance reflects pure hearing ability rather than cognitive factors
4Ease of operation
If different language versions of speech tests are created, then native language comprehension is improved, but the test difficulty varies across languages and requires multiple test versions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal test system using phonetic sounds that are language-neutral and can be understood by speakers of any language. This single universal version eliminates the need to create and maintain multiple language-specific test versions, reducing system complexity while ensuring ease of operation for all native speakers through language-independent stimuli
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a test to measure the ability of a subject to discriminate between speech sounds. The speech sounds may be selected from the world's most widely spoken languages to enable the test to be carried out irrespective of the language spoken by the subject. Speech sounds may be presented in sequences, such as triplets. The subject would then be required to detect which speech sound in each sequence is different from the others. The test may be provided on a computer or similar device, in an embodiment a tablet computer, enabling the subject to conduct a self-assessment. The test may be performed on hearing aid users to determine the likelihood of a hearing aid user obtaining better test results after receiving one or two cochlear implants.