Speech Intelligibility Predicted from Neural Entrainment of the Speech Envelope

Abstract

Speech intelligibility is currently measured by scoring how well a person can identify a speech signal. The results of such behavioral measures reflect neural processing of the speech signal, but are also influenced by language processing, motivation, and memory. Very often, electrophysiological measures of hearing give insight in the neural processing of sound. However, in most methods, non-speech stimuli are used, making it hard to relate the results to behavioral measures of speech intelligibility. The use of natural running speech as a stimulus in electrophysiological measures of hearing is a paradigm shift which allows to bridge the gap between behavioral and electrophysiological measures. Here, by decoding the speech envelope from the electroencephalogram, and correlating it with the stimulus envelope, we demonstrate an electrophysiological measure of neural processing of running speech. We show that behaviorally measured speech intelligibility is strongly correlated with our electrophysiological measure. Our results pave the way towards an objective and automatic way of assessing neural processing of speech presented through auditory prostheses, reducing confounds such as attention and cognitive capabilities. We anticipate that our electrophysiological measure will allow better differential diagnosis of the auditory system, and will allow the development of closed-loop auditory prostheses that automatically adapt to individual users.

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Optimal Human Passive Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Adaptation Does Not Rely on Passive Training

Abstract

The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) is the main vision-stabilising system during rapid head movements in humans. A visual-vestibular mismatch stimulus can be used to train or adapt the VOR response because it induces a retinal image slip error signal that drives VOR motor learning. The training context has been shown to affect VOR adaptation. We sought to determine whether active (self-generated) versus passive (externally imposed) head rotation vestibular training would differentially affect adaptation and short-term retention of the active and passive VOR responses. Ten subjects were tested, each over six separate 1.5-h sessions. We compared active versus passive head impulse (transient, rapid head rotations with peak velocity ~ 150 °/s) VOR adaptation training lasting 15 min with the VOR gain challenged to increment, starting at unity, by 0.1 every 90 s towards one side only (this adapting side was randomised to be either left or right). The VOR response was tested/measured in darkness at 10-min intervals, 20-min intervals, and two single 60-min interval sessions for 1 h post-training. The training was active or passive for the 10- and 20-min interval sessions, but only active for the two single 60-min interval sessions. The mean VOR response increase due to training was ~ 10 % towards the adapting side versus ~2 % towards the non-adapting side. There was no difference in VOR adaptation and retention between active and passive VOR training. The only factor to affect retention was exposure to a de-adaptation stimulus. These data suggest that active VOR adaptation training can be used to optimally adapt the passive VOR and that adaptation is completely retained over 1 h as long as there is no visual feedback signal driving de-adaptation.

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Respiratory Tract Infections and Voice Quality in 4-Year-old Children in the STEPS Study

Publication date: Available online 3 March 2018
Source:Journal of Voice
Author(s): Emma Kallvik, Laura Toivonen, Ville Peltola, Anne Kaljonen, Susanna Simberg
ObjectivesHealth-related factors are part of the multifactorial background of dysphonia in children. Respiratory tract infections affect the same systems and structures that are used for voice production. The purpose of this study was to investigate if the number of respiratory tract infections or the viral etiology were significant predictors for a more hoarse voice quality.MethodsThe participants were 4-year-old children who participated in the multidisciplinary STEPS study (Steps to the Healthy Development and Well-being of Children) where they were followed up from pregnancy or birth to 4 years of age. Data were collected through questionnaires and a health diary filled in by the parents. Some of the children were followed up more intensively for respiratory tract infections during the first 2 years of life, and nasal swab samples were taken at the onset of respiratory symptoms. Our participants were 489 of these children who had participated in the follow-up for at least 1 year and for whom data on respiratory tract infections and data on voice quality were available.ResultsThe number of hospitalizations due to respiratory tract infections was a significant predictor for a more hoarse voice quality. Neither the number of rhinovirus infections nor the number of respiratory syncytial virus infections was statistically significant predictors for a more hoarse voice quality.ConclusionsBased on our results, we would suggest including questions on the presence of respiratory tract infections that have led to hospitalization in the pediatric voice anamnesis. Whether the viral etiology of respiratory tract infections is of importance or not requires further research.



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Reactive balance performance and neuromuscular and cognitive responses to unpredictable balance perturbations in children with developmental coordination disorder

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 62
Author(s): Yoyo T.Y. Cheng, William W.N. Tsang, Catherine Mary Schooling, Shirley S.M. Fong
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a common motor disorder affecting balance performance. However, few studies have investigated reactive balance performance and the underlying mechanisms in children with DCD. This study aimed to compare the reactive balance performance, lower limb muscle reflex contraction latency and attention level in response to unpredictable balance perturbations between 100 typically developing children and 120 children with DCD (with and without comorbid autism spectrum disorder) aged 6–9 years. Reactive balance performance was evaluated using a motor control test (MCT) conducted on a computerized dynamic posturography machine. The lower limb postural muscle responses and attention level before, during and after a MCT were measured using surface electromyography and electroencephalography, respectively. The results revealed that relative to typically developing children, those with DCD had a significantly longer MCT latency score in the backward platform translation condition (p = 0.048) but a significantly shorter latency score in the forward platform translation condition (p = 0.024). The MCT composite latency scores and the corresponding lower limb muscle onset latencies were similar between the groups. Children with DCD also demonstrated a lower attention level during and after sudden backward (p = 0.042) and forward (p = 0.031) platform translations, compared to typically developing children. Children with DCD were less attentive in response to postural threats, and their balance responses were direction-specific. Balance training for children with DCD might require an additional emphasis on sudden posterior-to-anterior balance perturbations, as well as on problems with inattention.



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Reactive balance performance and neuromuscular and cognitive responses to unpredictable balance perturbations in children with developmental coordination disorder

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 62
Author(s): Yoyo T.Y. Cheng, William W.N. Tsang, Catherine Mary Schooling, Shirley S.M. Fong
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a common motor disorder affecting balance performance. However, few studies have investigated reactive balance performance and the underlying mechanisms in children with DCD. This study aimed to compare the reactive balance performance, lower limb muscle reflex contraction latency and attention level in response to unpredictable balance perturbations between 100 typically developing children and 120 children with DCD (with and without comorbid autism spectrum disorder) aged 6–9 years. Reactive balance performance was evaluated using a motor control test (MCT) conducted on a computerized dynamic posturography machine. The lower limb postural muscle responses and attention level before, during and after a MCT were measured using surface electromyography and electroencephalography, respectively. The results revealed that relative to typically developing children, those with DCD had a significantly longer MCT latency score in the backward platform translation condition (p = 0.048) but a significantly shorter latency score in the forward platform translation condition (p = 0.024). The MCT composite latency scores and the corresponding lower limb muscle onset latencies were similar between the groups. Children with DCD also demonstrated a lower attention level during and after sudden backward (p = 0.042) and forward (p = 0.031) platform translations, compared to typically developing children. Children with DCD were less attentive in response to postural threats, and their balance responses were direction-specific. Balance training for children with DCD might require an additional emphasis on sudden posterior-to-anterior balance perturbations, as well as on problems with inattention.



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Reactive balance performance and neuromuscular and cognitive responses to unpredictable balance perturbations in children with developmental coordination disorder

Publication date: May 2018
Source:Gait & Posture, Volume 62
Author(s): Yoyo T.Y. Cheng, William W.N. Tsang, Catherine Mary Schooling, Shirley S.M. Fong
Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is a common motor disorder affecting balance performance. However, few studies have investigated reactive balance performance and the underlying mechanisms in children with DCD. This study aimed to compare the reactive balance performance, lower limb muscle reflex contraction latency and attention level in response to unpredictable balance perturbations between 100 typically developing children and 120 children with DCD (with and without comorbid autism spectrum disorder) aged 6–9 years. Reactive balance performance was evaluated using a motor control test (MCT) conducted on a computerized dynamic posturography machine. The lower limb postural muscle responses and attention level before, during and after a MCT were measured using surface electromyography and electroencephalography, respectively. The results revealed that relative to typically developing children, those with DCD had a significantly longer MCT latency score in the backward platform translation condition (p = 0.048) but a significantly shorter latency score in the forward platform translation condition (p = 0.024). The MCT composite latency scores and the corresponding lower limb muscle onset latencies were similar between the groups. Children with DCD also demonstrated a lower attention level during and after sudden backward (p = 0.042) and forward (p = 0.031) platform translations, compared to typically developing children. Children with DCD were less attentive in response to postural threats, and their balance responses were direction-specific. Balance training for children with DCD might require an additional emphasis on sudden posterior-to-anterior balance perturbations, as well as on problems with inattention.



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New Signia Hearing Aids Combine Convenience, Discretion, and Quality Sound

Signia’s (http://ift.tt/29sqzaU) newest hearing aids Pure Charge&Go offers wireless rechargeability and natural sound quality. With a lithium-ion power cell and an inductive charger, Pure Charge& Go can be simply placed in the charger for charging at night and will remain charged all day. The lithium-ion cell technology in this hearing aid lasts significantly longer than traditional zinc-based rechargeable batteries, even after multiple years of use, eliminating the need to change batteries frequently. Wearers can enjoy streaming up to five hours per day via Bluetooth and still have 17 hours of battery cell run time, or 19 hours of run time without streaming. Built with Signia’s Own Voice Processing technology, Pure Charge&Go is equipped to identify the user’s voice and processes it separately from other sounds and create the most natural-sounding own voice for its user.
 
Other features include access to Signia’s myControl App, which allows users to change the settings on their smartphones, and the myHearing App, which provides support, exercises, and user guides. Users can also access TeleCare, which allows them to schedule remote consultations with their hearing care professionals.

Published: 3/2/2018 5:11:00 PM

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New Signia Hearing Aids Combine Convenience, Discretion, and Quality Sound

Signia’s (http://ift.tt/29sqzaU) newest hearing aids Pure Charge&Go offers wireless rechargeability and natural sound quality. With a lithium-ion power cell and an inductive charger, Pure Charge& Go can be simply placed in the charger for charging at night and will remain charged all day. The lithium-ion cell technology in this hearing aid lasts significantly longer than traditional zinc-based rechargeable batteries, even after multiple years of use, eliminating the need to change batteries frequently. Wearers can enjoy streaming up to five hours per day via Bluetooth and still have 17 hours of battery cell run time, or 19 hours of run time without streaming. Built with Signia’s Own Voice Processing technology, Pure Charge&Go is equipped to identify the user’s voice and processes it separately from other sounds and create the most natural-sounding own voice for its user.
 
Other features include access to Signia’s myControl App, which allows users to change the settings on their smartphones, and the myHearing App, which provides support, exercises, and user guides. Users can also access TeleCare, which allows them to schedule remote consultations with their hearing care professionals.

Published: 3/2/2018 5:11:00 PM

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