Critical band distortion analysis: Part II

Distortion analysis typically focuses on the physical measurement of distortion. There is little information on the relation between these measurements and perception. A series of studies has been conducted as part of the development of a general method for measuring distortion, based on a simple critical band model of hearing, that links physical measurement with the perception of distortion. Results from both detection and ranking experiments using paired comparison measures of speech processed through a hearing aid will be reported. These results suggest that a critical band analysis of distortion can be useful for relating physical and perceptual measures of distortion, at least for simple stimuli. The limitations of the measure will also be discussed. [Research supported by NIDRR.]