Personalization in Object-based Audio for Accessibility: A Review of Advancements for Hearing Impaired Listeners

Ward LA, Shirley BG. Personalization in Object-based Audio for Accessibility: A Review of Advancements for Hearing Impaired Listeners. J Audio Eng Soc. 2019;67(7/8):584-597. doi:10.17743/jaes.2019.0021

@article{Ward2019_20496,
  author = {Ward, Lauren A. and Shirley, Ben G.},
  title = {{Personalization in Object-based Audio for Accessibility: A Review of Advancements for Hearing Impaired Listeners}},
  journal = {Journal of the Audio Engineering Society},
  volume = {67},
  number = {7/8},
  pages = {584--597},
  year = {2019},
  month = jul,
  publisher = {Audio Engineering Society},
  doi = {10.17743/jaes.2019.0021},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.17743/jaes.2019.0021}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Personalization in Object-based Audio for Accessibility: A Review of Advancements for Hearing Impaired Listeners
AU  - Ward, Lauren A.
AU  - Shirley, Ben G.
T2  - Journal of the Audio Engineering Society
J2  - J. Audio Eng. Soc.
VL  - 67
IS  - 7/8
SP  - 584
EP  - 597
PY  - 2019
DA  - 2019/07/06
DO  - 10.17743/jaes.2019.0021
UR  - https://doi.org/10.17743/jaes.2019.0021
PB  - Audio Engineering Society
LA  - en
AB  - Hearing loss is widespread and significantly impacts an individual’s ability to engage with broadcast media. Access for people with impaired hearing can be improved through new object-based audio personalization methods. Utilizing the literature on hearing loss and intelligibility, this paper develops three dimensions that have the potential to improve intelligibility: spatial separation, speech-to-noise ratio, and redundancy. These can be personalized, individually or concurrently, using object-based audio. A systematic review of all work in object-based audio personalization is then undertaken. These dimensions are utilized to evaluate each project’s approach to personalization, identifying successful approaches, commercial challenges, and the next steps required to ensure continuing improvements to broadcast audio for hard-of-hearing individuals. Although no single solution will address all problems faced by individuals with hearing impairments when accessing broadcast audio, several approaches covered in this review show promise.
ER  -