Semiautomatic speech intelligibility measurements

A recent study towards the improvement of intelligibility testing techniques has resulted in a very efficient testing procedure based on the use of the Fairbanks Rhyme Test and a computer. The Fairbanks Rhyme Test permits the actual tests to be taken quickly and simply, and the computer provides a rapid, thorough analysis of the test data. Subsequent evaluations of several vocoders, and of the effects of electrical stimuli upon test subjects, showed this testing procedure to be quite effective. Small differences in intelligibility between systems were detected by giving a large number of tests. A diagnostic evaluation of each system was performed by the computer, which pointed out specific shortcomings of each system under test.