Proceedings of the 5th International MESAQIN (Measurement of Speech and Audio Quality in Networks) Conference, Prague, Czech Republic, June 2006.

Listening-Time Relationships in a Subjective Speech Quality Experiment

Stephen D. Voran

Abstract: We have designed, conducted, and analyzed a subjective speech quality experiment with unrestricted timing where subjects can vote whenever their opinions are fully formed, rather than at fixed time intervals. Analysis of the resulting listening times reveals that subjects tend to listen for a longer time before approving a recording and for a shorter time before rejecting a recording. This listening-time difference tends to increase for poorer quality systems and for more critical subjects. We present a mathematical model that reproduces these results. In addition, subjects operate more quickly as they move through the experiment.

Keywords: speech quality; listening time; subjective test

For technical information concerning this report, contact:

Stephen D. Voran
Institute for Telecommunication Sciences
(303) 497-3839
svoran@ntia.gov

To request a reprint of this report, contact:

Lilli Segre, Publications Officer
Institute for Telecommunication Sciences
(303) 497-3572
LSegre@ntia.gov

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