Grants and Contributions:

Grant or Award spanning more than one fiscal year (2017-2018 to 2018-2019).

Verbal communication in noise while wearing hearing protection devices (HPDs) is often difficult. Ourx000D
industrial partner, EERS, has developed innovative hearing protection, communication and monitoringx000D
technology for workers of noisy environments. Their industrial hearing protectors (SonX) efficiently block outx000D
damaging noise while allowing workers to communicate over personal radio without removing their devices.x000D
In this project, we are planning to implement and evaluate recently developed speech enhancement andx000D
compression algorithms that are designed to maximize speech intelligibility and noise removal while wearingx000D
SonX hearing protectors. Critically, the performance of these algorithms has not yet been studied within thex000D
electroacoustic characteristics of the SonX product, which is designed to be used in very noisy environments.x000D
In this project, we will first implement these algorithms starting with a versatile PC platform, dubbed thex000D
Auditory Research Platform (ARP3), and later on the SonX product at EERS. Then, we will evaluate thex000D
performance of these algorithms by conducting human perceptual testing of speech quality. The results fromx000D
this project will be used by EERS to tune the algorithms for the SonX product and validate their benefits. Thisx000D
project will have significant economic impact by improving the performance and marketability of the highlyx000D
innovative SonX product line. In addition, we will train highly qualified personnel in the areas of biomedicalx000D
engineering, information technology, and software development, areas that in high demand in the Canadian jobx000D
market.