Audiovisual input and output Sample Clauses

Audiovisual input and output. To compensate for losses in hearing acuity, older adults may need to use context to interpret speech. Studies have shown that relative to the young, older adults make more use of semantic context (such as degree of predictability of a target word) to facilitate speech recognition (Scialfa et al., 2004; Xxxx et al., 2004). Having good structure (e.g., grammar) in spoken (and written) texts can help older adults differentially. In speech, increased signal strength can be promoted by regulating speech characteristics to match listener needs. For instance, pausing after important grammatical boundaries (phrases, ends of sentences) when speaking may be particularly helpful (Xxxx et al., 2004). However it is important that clear speech does not devolve to ‘elderspeak’ (Xxxxxx and Xxxxx in Xxxxxxx et al., 2004), a semantically simplified and effectively patronizing communicative style that is offensive to many older listeners and detracts from speech comprehension. Another important issue is the slower rate of processing for older adults. This has implications for the use of compressed and speeded speech (Xxxx et al., 2004). Namely, people with a hearing impairment often have difficulties in understanding synthetic speech output since it tends to have less redundancy than natural speech. However, brief spoken messages might be useful as optional replacements for the current provision of fly-over hints to give brief names or explanations of buttons and other features of an interface. It is possible that interfaces of this sort could extend the number of years during which users are able to make use of applications (Hawthorn, 2000). The facility to repeat a message is also frequently essential rather than just desirable (Xxxx, 2004). If information is confidential, then speech output should be to an earphone (e.g. telephone handset). For situations with poor viewing conditions (e.g. low illumination or high vibration) audio output can provide another modality of information dissemination or provide more redundancy. Audio messages are most appropriate when an immediate response is required with less reliance on referral to the message later. Other guidelines for audio output (Xxxx et al., 2004; Xxxx, 2004, Hawthorn, 2000):  Messages should be simple and short.  Keep speech rates to 140 words per minute or less.  Match voice characteristics to the situation. Prefer male voices to female voices for announcements. Prefer female to male to get attention. Older indivi...

Audiovisual input and output. To compensate for losses in hearing acuity, older adults may need to use context to interpret speech. Studies have shown that relative to the young, older adults make more use of semantic context (such as degree of predictability of a target word) to facilitate speech recognition (Scialfa et al., 2004; Xxxx et al., 2004). Having good structure (e.g., grammar) in spoken (and written) texts can help older adults differentially. In speech, increased signal strength can be promoted by regulating speech characteristics to match listener needs. For instance, pausing after important grammatical boundaries (phrases, ends of sentences) when speaking may be particularly helpful (Xxxx et al., 2004).