Multi-zone personalisation for hard of hearing listeners using object-based audio

Galvez, M; Laghidze, I; Ward, L; Franck, A; Shirley, BG; Fazi, F

Abstract

Television plays an important social role, especially the communal experience of watching tele-vision together. Therefore ensuring accessibility of broadcast content for all is vital. The advent of object-based audio makes it possible to personalise audio content in the home based on an individuals listening needs including for hearing impaired people. However these individual needs are often very specific to the individual’s hearing loss. So how can a shared television experience be retained, whilst meeting the differing needs of all individuals?

This paper proposes a solution utilising novel multi-zone soundbar technology, that allows two users to listen to the same object-based broadcast content whilst personalising their own sound reproduction based on individual needs. The paper describes the implementation challenges for such a system for hard of hearing people, including arbitration of each viewer’s personalisation to optimise all users’ experiences. Future work, including planned perceptual testing, is also outlined.

Citation

Galvez, M., Laghidze, I., Ward, L., Franck, A., Shirley, B., & Fazi, F. Multi-zone personalisation for hard of hearing listeners using object-based audio. Presented at Reproduced Sound 2018 : putting sound in its place, Bristol, UK

• Presentation Conference Type: Other
• Conference Name: Reproduced Sound 2018 : putting sound in its place
• Conference Location: Bristol, UK
• End Date: Nov 29, 2018
• Publication Date: Nov 29, 2018
• Deposit Date: Jan 7, 2022
• Publisher: Institute of Acoustics
• Series Title: Proceedings of the Institute of Acoustics Volume
• Series Number: 40/4
• Book Title: Reproduced Sound 2018 : putting sound in its place
• ISBN: 9781510875418
• Publisher URL: https://www.ioa.org.uk/civicrm/event/info?id=344&reset=1
• Additional Information: Event Type : Conference