Naslov
The impact of different room acoustics conditions on vocal output and RASTI index

Autori
Domitrović, Hrvoje ; Kovačić, Gordana

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Skup
5th International Voice Symposium - The Professional Voice

Mjesto i datum
Salzburg, Austrija, 02.08.2002. - 04.08.2002

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
professional voice users; background noise; voice problems; reverberation time; SNR; RASTI; speech intelligibility

Sažetak
Professional voice users represent a specific category of high-risk patients for environmental and functional causative factors of voice disorders. Teachers are especially endangered. Environmental conditions are relevant in many cases, and background noise is a particular difficulty. In many cases the acoustic design of classroom is less than optimal for speech communication and learning to take place. This includes longer reverberation times, higher background noise levels (lower SNR), and lower RApid Speech Transmission Index (RASTI), the result of which is inappropriate speech intelligibility for the listeners/pupils, a factor that may affect their attention, auditory comprehension and learning. Another problem, this time for the speaker/teacher, is increased vocal effort while speaking. This vocal misuse/abuse may cause voice fatigue and vocal pathology. The aim of this simulation study, where ordinary classroom has been taken into consideration, was to demonstrate the influence of three basic parameters upon the speech intelligibility by means of acoustical program EASE, ver. 2.03. The observed parameters were reverberation time, background noise and loudness level of a sound source, in this study human voice. The series of simulations clearly showed that different levels of background noise have had great influence on both vocal output (loudness) and RASTI scores. The overall conclusion is that greater attention should be given to architectural-acoustic designs of the classrooms where teachers and pupils interact on a daily basis. The same conclusion goes for all the other working places (rooms) where public speaking is to be done.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Elektrotehnika, Pedagogija

POVEZANOST RADA