Acoustic Communication

• describe the structure of the ear and explain the function of the various components.
• sketch the hearing threshold in a free field (dB SPL-Frequency) and interpret the course of the curve.
• compare classical and adaptive psychometric methods, explain psychoacoustical measurement methods, and explain a psychometric function.
• explain the concept of loudness and loudness level and describe Stevens’ power law.
• explain the concept of masking (simultaneous-, forward-, backward-) and it’s relation to the function of the inner ear.
• explain how speech is produced and describe the physical properties of the speech signal.
• define the concept of speech intelligibility, explain how different factors influence intelligibility, and discuss methods for measuring speech intelligibility.
• describe the principles of sound localization and sketch results of localization measurements.
• write an exercise report that is comprehensible to other students.

The anatomy and physiology of the ear. Psychophysical principles and psychoacoustic measuring methods. The relation between physical sound impact and subjective sound perception. Psychoacoustics (hearing threshold, loudness, masking, frequency selectivity etc). Localization of sound signals. Description of the speech signal. Measurement of speech intelligibility.

34840, in the same semester, if needed

Lectures, exercises with reports

Students that plan to take the course 22003 “Auditory Signal Processing and Perception” should take this course (Acoustic Communication) first, not after. The course works ideally in combination with course 22007.