Normative data using the spatial release iPad application

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to collect normative data on Spatial Release from Masking (SRM) ability for the iPad application Spatial Release. SRM is the ability to obtain better speech recognition thresholds when the maskers are spatially separated from the target. In this study, 50 participants were separated into three groups based on their age and hearing loss (young normal hearing, older normal hearing, and older hearing impaired). SRM data was collected using three techniques: over headphones using a virtual speaker array, using Spatial Release iPad application (https://bgc.ucr.edu/games/spatialrelease/) and loudspeaker presentation in a sound-attenuated room. For all three techniques, Coordinate Response Measure (CRM) sentences were used as the stimuli and “Charlie” was used as the call sign. A progressive tracking procedure was used to estimate the speech identification thresholds for listeners with varying hearing thresholds. The target sentence was always presented at 0 degrees azimuth angle whereas the maskers were colocated (0 degrees) with the target or symmetrically spatially separated by ±15 degrees, ±30 degrees, or ±45 degrees. Data analysis revealed similar speech identification thresholds for the iPad and headphone conditions and slightly poorer thresholds for the loudspeaker array condition across participant groups. This was true for all spatial separations between the target and the maskers. The individual effects of age and hearing loss on spatial release from masking will be discussed. This data will aid clinicians to rapidly characterize difficulties perceived by individuals in everyday listening scenarios and to evaluate patient progress with hearing aid adjustments and aural rehabilitation over time.