Supervision: Qin Liu

Project type: Semester project (master) Master thesis

Available

Auditory distance perception plays a major role in spatial awareness, enabling location of objects and avoidance of obstacles in the environment. Normal-hearing people can easily determine the approximate distance between themselves and a sound source by using only auditory cues, even when visual information is not available. The primary cues are sound level, reverberation, and frequency. Following hearing loss, the use of auditory level as a distance cue remains robust, while the reverberation cue becomes less effective. Previous studies have not found evidence that hearing-aid processing affects perceived auditory distance. This project aims to evaluate the impact of hearing aids on the distance-perception ability of individuals with hearing impairment.

The project consists of two stages. The first stage involves building a fully-equipped listening test experimental facility. This includes a loudspeaker and an electric rail to move it with precision. While the loudspeaker will generate different stimuli at varying distances, the rail will carry it to predetermined positions automatically and reliably. The second stage will conduct a listening test on a group of approximately 10 individuals with normal hearing and 20 people with hearing impairment.

Profile: Electrical engineering, Physics, Mechanics

Prerequisites: Acoustics, Psychoacoustic (not necessary),

Learning outcome: auditory distance perception knowledge and listening test experience

Context: Experiment setup (40%), listening tests (60%)