Vibratory-coded directional analysis: Evaluation of a three-microphone/four-vibrator DSP system

A sound localization aid based on eyeglasses with three microphones and fou r vibrators was tested in a sound-treated acoustic test room and in an ordi nary office. A digital signal-processing algorithm provided a determination of the source angle, which was transformed into eight vibrator codes each corresponding to a 45 degrees sector. The instrument was tested on nine dea f and three deaf-blind individuals. The results show an average hit rate of about 80% in a sound-treated room with 100% for the front 135 degrees sect or. The results in a realistic communication situation in an ordinary offic e room were 70% correct based on single presentations and 95% correct when more realistic criteria for an adequate reaction were used. Ten of the twel ve subjects were interested in participating in field tests using a planned miniaturized version.