Acoustical Analyses of Conversations Reveal Different Effects of Remote Microphones and Face Masks on Group Conversations by Aided Older Adults

Acoustic analysis of speech production and conversational behavior can be used to evaluate the benefit of hearing assistive technology. The observed differences in behavior when using a remote microphone are consistent with reduced listening effort. The differences observed when wearing a face mask are all consistent with increased resistance to airflow and the consequent effects on speech production rather than increased listening difficulty.