EEG Phase Synchrony Reflects SNR Levels During Continuous Speech-in-Noise Tasks

Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2021 Nov:2021:531-534. doi: 10.1109/EMBC46164.2021.9630139.

Abstract

Comprehension of speech in noise is a challenge for hearing-impaired (HI) individuals. Electroencephalography (EEG) provides a tool to investigate the effect of different levels of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the speech. Most studies with EEG have focused on spectral power in well-defined frequency bands such as alpha band. In this study, we investigate how local functional connectivity, i.e. functional connectivity within a localized region of the brain, is affected by two levels of SNR. Twenty-two HI participants performed a continuous speech in noise task at two different SNRs (+3 dB and +8 dB). The local connectivity within eight regions of interest was computed by using a multivariate phase synchrony measure on EEG data. The results showed that phase synchrony increased in the parietal and frontal area as a response to increasing SNR. We contend that local connectivity measures can be used to discriminate between speech-evoked EEG responses at different SNRs.

MeSH terms

  • Electroencephalography Phase Synchronization
  • Humans
  • Noise
  • Signal-To-Noise Ratio
  • Speech Perception*
  • Speech*