Efficacy of a newly developed auditory-cognitive training system on speech recognition, central auditory processing and cognitive ability among older adults with normal cognition and with neurocognitive impairment

To evaluate the efficacy of a newly developed auditory–cognitive training system on speech recognition, central auditory processing and cognition among older adults with normal cognition (NC) and with neurocognitive impairment (NCI). Methods: A double-blind quasi-experiment was carried out on NC (n = 43) and NCI (n = 33) groups. Participants in each group were randomly assigned into treatment and control programs groups. The treatment group underwent auditory–cognitive training, whereas the control group was assigned to watch documentary videos, three times per week, for 8 consecutive weeks. Study outcomes that included Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Malay Hearing in Noise Test, Dichotic Digit Test, Gaps in Noise Test and Pitch Pattern Sequence Test were measured at 4-week intervals at baseline, and weeks 4, 8 and 12. Results: Mixed design anova showed significant training effects in total Montreal Cognitive Assessment and Dichotic Digit Test in both groups, NC (P < 0.001) and NCI (P < 0.01). The NC group also showed significant training effects in the Malay Hearing in Noise Test (quiet) (P < 0.01), Gaps in Noise Test (P < 0.001) and Pitch Pattern Sequence Test (humming) (P < 0.05). All training effects were sustained up to 4 weeks after the training ended. Conclusions: The present study suggests that the newly developed auditory–cognitive training system has the potential to improve general cognition and some of the auditory processing abilities in both the NC and NCI groups. Because of the short test–retest intervals used in the present study, it is possible that the training effects were influenced by learning effect and, therefore, should be considered cautiously. Geriatr Gerontol Int 201

Evaluation of two-channel source separation using exploratory projection pursuit technique

Difficulty of understanding speech in noise among the elderly necessitates the need for Auditory Training which has made a renewal of interest in the last decade with the auditory training applications. This interest is perhaps spurred by advances in computer-based technology. In computer-based auditory training, speech signals are considered as auditory training stimuli where input speech signals need to be verified prior to training as the speech signals are mixed with noise signals. Computer-based Auditory Training System can be embedded with input speech verifying module. Input speech verifying module is employed with speech and noise separator simulator. This simulator needs to guarantee accurate separation of speech from noise signals. Therefore, in this research, Exploratory Projection Pursuit (EPP) technique under semi-Blind Source Separation (BSS) method is intended to separate the speech source signals which are mixed with competing speech (multitalker speech babble). This training uses Malay language based sentences which differ in word length and hence number of sample values. The experimental simulation considers two-channel random, linear mixing of speech sources and competing speech. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of source separation using the anticipated EPP technique for various sample values of speech signals which varies in time duration due to word length dissimilarity. Simulation results show that EPP technique is feasible for source separation. As a consequence, high correlation value of r ≥ 0.99 is obtained between extracted speech signal and original speech signal for all categories of speech signals. It is further verified by the maximum nongaussianity of extracted speech signal which has high kurtosis value of 32 approximately

Comparative study of TEC for GISTM stations in the Peninsular Malaysia region for the period of January 2011 to December 2012

Total Electron Content (TEC) is a fundamental and the most prevalent parameter that affects Global Positioning System (GPS) signals, leading to delays, poor signals or total loss of signals. The gradients in TEC are frequently associated with disturbance in the ionosphere which explains the space weather behavior and indirectly causes inefficient operations of ground and space based Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) applications. The role of TEC variability is constructive in space weather prediction as it allows GNSS users to minimize rangerate errors in achieving highly reliable measurements. This paper therefore presents an analysis of the diurnal and seasonal activity dependence of TEC using data obtained from the GPS Ionospheric Scintillation and TEC Monitor (GISTM) at two stations in Peninsular Malaysia which are located at the Langkawi National Observatory, Langkawi, LGKW (06_19’N, 99_51’E) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM (02_55’N, 101_46’E). Data for the two years (2011 and 2012), were recorded using the NovAtel GSV 4004B GISTM model equipment. Further investigations on a few more stations in the coast of Peninsular Malaysia will strengthen and consolidate the findings of this study

Pembangunan bahan bahasa pertuturan untuk latihan pertuturan dalam hingar bagi golongan dewasa

Kajian ini menerangkan proses sistematik dalam pembangunan bahan ayat pertuturan dalam hingar yang mempunyai kebolehfahaman yang sama dan bersesuaian dengan budaya bagi kegunaan dalam protokol latihan pertuturan dalam hingar untuk golongan dewasa di Malaysia. Proses pembangunan ini melibatkan tiga fasa iteratif iaitu fasa (1) analisis, (2) rekabentuk dan (3) pembangunan. Dalam fasa analisis, pembolehubah yang diperlukan dalam membangunkan bahan pertuturan dikenalpasti melalui kajian kepustakaan dan perbincangan bersama pakar dalam bidang. Seterusnya, dalam fasa rekabentuk, kompilasi dan pembentukan ayat, penilaian kesemulajadian dan rakaman bahan pertuturan telah dilakukan. Fasa yang terakhir iaitu fasa pembangunan melibatkan penilaian penentuan graf fungsi pencapaian intensiti dan penyamaan kebolehfahaman ayat telah dijalankan. Hasil akhir daripada fasa-fasa ini adalah 171 ayat yang mempunyai kebolehfahaman yang sama dan boleh digunakan secara bergilir-gilir dalam protokol latihan pertuturan dalam hingar untuk golongan dewasa di Malaysia