Contribution
Spatial release from masking with and without simulated hearing loss: Comparison of different spatial audio reproduction methods
* Presenting author
Abstract:
The effect of spatial release from masking (SRM) provides a crucial benefit for normal-hearing listeners but may get lost with increasing degree of hearing loss. Simulating hearing loss by means of digital signal processing may enable researchers to derive insight into whether differences in performance between young, normal-hearing listeners and elderly listeners with age-related hearing loss can be attributed to sensory deficits, or rather cognitive changes. Prior studies have investigated the effect of hearing loss simulation on the ability to localize sound sources. This study aims to investigate hearing loss simulation software further in regard to its effect on SRM. During a listening experiment, normal-hearing participants have their hearing abilities intentionally impaired using a simulator. Participants’ SRM benefit is measured at different degrees of simulated hearing loss for a set of sound source positions. As spatial audio reproduction methods represent an essential tool in the field of hearing research, and existing solutions exhibit individual advantages and disadvantages, a variety of reproduction methods are compared within the scope of the listening experiment: direct playback through discrete loudspeakers, higher-order Ambisonics using a 68-channel loudspeaker array and binaural reproduction via headphones, implemented using both individual and non-individual head-related transfer functions.