SPATS

CDT’s newest product line is called SPATS, which stands for Speech Perception Assessment and Training System. The first version, now designated SPATS-HI (SPATS for Hearing-Impaired persons), was developed as a system for teaching hearing-aid and cochlear-implant users to more accurately identify the speech sounds heard through those assistive devices. It had often been suggested that some listeners may not do well with aided listening because they persist in attending to the speech cues that they formerly relied on, but which their hearing loss has rendered inaudible. Others with similar losses apparently do better because they learn to use alternative cues that can be heard through their aids or implants. Research has supported this prediction. It was found that all users trained with SPATS-HI improved, some by modest amounts and others by much more. SPATS-HI combines recognition drills using more than 100 of the basic sounds of English with training on meaningful sentences spoken by 12 different talkers. The scientific reasoning that led to the development of SPATS-HI and research showing its successful use with hearing-aid users are reported in two articles in the Hearing Journal (Watson et al., 2008; Miller, Watson, Kistler et al., 2008). Additional descriptions of SPATS-related research are available in two other articles available online (Miller, Watson, Kewley-Port et al., 2008; Miller, Watson, Kistler, Wightman & Preminger, 2008).

Following the successful use of SPATS-HI with hearing-impaired listeners, it was recognized that persons learning English as a second language (ESL students) often have similar perceptual difficulties with speech. Many non-native speakers persist in attending to features that distinguish the sounds of their native language, but which may be much less useful for the identification of English speech sounds. A version of SPATS was therefore developed for that population. There are now two distinct versions of SPATS, one that has been refined for use with hearing impaired persons (SPATS-HI), and a second system that has been adapted for students of English as a second language (SPATS-ESL). In the following section SPATS-HI is described; click on SPATS-ESL for a description of that application for second-language learners.

SPATS-HI

CDT’s speech training software for hearing impaired persons, SPATS-HI, is available through audiological clinics where a certified audiologist has been trained in the use of this system. It is intended that SPATS-HI speech perception training be conducted at least initially in the clinic, with regular monitoring of performance by a supervisor. After 8-10 hours of training it is quite feasible for clients with at least modest computer skills to use a copy of the system on a home computer, assuming it is equipped with an adequate sound card and loudspeaker (see discussion in users’ guide).

There is an apt analogy between SPATS-HI training and the study of the piano. Nothing but self-directed home study might be sufficient for a few very unusual students to learn to play that instrument. But the vast majority of piano students will learn to play only if they have periodic sessions with a teacher, in which they receive feedback, admonitions about practice, reinforcement for their achievements, and new assignments. And they DO learn to play, and their achievements eventually amaze those of us who lack that skill. Learning to perceive the complex code that is represented by the sounds of English, when that code has been transformed by a hearing aid, is a perceptual skill that improves with practice, as do perceptual-motor skills like playing the piano, or playing tennis, or platform diving for that matter. Periodic sessions in which a supervisor provides evaluative feedback and guidance for future training sessions are an important part of SPATS-HI training, and in fact are absolutely essential for trainees to enjoy the maximum benefits of aided listening.

Persons interested in receiving SPATS-HI training may contact CDT, Inc., for the names of the closest audiology clinic or speech and hearing center at which that training is available. If there is no such center within driving distance of your home, you might wish to ask the nearest audiology clinic or speech and hearing center to contact CDT, Inc., to learn more about the system and perhaps to consider becoming a certified SPATS-HI training facility. [certification@comdistec.com; or call 812-336-1766]. For technical information about the research validation of the SPATS systems, please contact Dr. James D. Miller by email: [jdmiller@comdistec.com]. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- References:

Watson, CS, Miller, JD, Kewley-Port, D, Humes, LE, and Wightman, FL (2008) “Training listeners to identify the sounds of speech: I. A review of past studies” The Hearing Journal 61(9), 26-31.

Miller, JD, Watson, CS, Kistler, DJ, Preminger, JE, and Wark, DJ (2008) “Training listeners to identify the sounds of speech: II. Using SPATS software” The Hearing Journal 61(10), 29-33.

Miller, JD, Watson, CS, Kewley-Port, D, Sillings, R, Mills, WF, and Burleson, DF. (2008) “SPATS: Speech Perception Training and Assessment System” Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics 2:05005 (17 pages).

Miller, JD, Watson, CS, Kistler, DJ, Wightman, FL, and Preminger, JE (2008) “Preliminary evaluation of the Speech Pereption Assessment and Training Sysetem (SPATS) with hearing-aid and cochlear-implant users” Proceedings of Meetings on Acoustics 2:05005 (9 pages).