Comparison of amplification systems in an auditorium.
Intelligibility of speech at two positions in a large auditorium was compared for the public address system (PA) and two assistive listening systems: Frequency modulation of radio frequencies (FM) and modulation of infrared light waves (IR). Listening groups were: normal-hearing adults, hearing-impaired, hearing aid users, elderly, and non-native. Word-identification scores were obtained with the Modified Rhyme Tests. Analysis of variance indicated that the main effects of systems, groups, and listening position were significant. Also significant were the two-way interactions. For all groups, the assistive listening systems provided better scores than the PA system. The difference between the two systems was statistically significant, but very small. It can be concluded that both listening systems provide improved speech intelligibility for various types of listeners.
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000162:Acoustics; D000328:Adult; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D006309:Hearing; D034381:Hearing Loss / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D013016:Sound; D013065:Speech Intelligibility