MSc thesis project proposal

Enhencement of Musical Perception

If there is one thing in life everybody agrees upon, it is the importance of music. Indeed, music is one of the most important factors in the life of human beings of all races and religions. Music is a wonderful force that is capable of bonding people together and instituting love and connectedness. Yet, for those of us with impaired hearing, enjoying music is not something that comes easy - even with modern hearing aid technology. It is still a general experience that listening to music with a hearing aid almost never fulfills optimal satisfaction for hearing-impaired subjects. Just imagine for a moment how your own life would be, cut off from music every day, not being able to enjoy a simple love song or feel the deep emotions conveyed by music. How fantastic would it then be to be able to restore the gift of music to those who have lost it? To let fellow humans experience the joy of music again?

The Leiden Music Percetion Test (LMPT)

Listening to music probably is the most important emotional sensation for human beings. Perception of musical sounds is an elder quality of the brain than the perception of speech and therefore linked to deeper emotional sensations. Each person has his or her own perception of music and musical preference. Musicality can be defined by at least 200 different parameters. The Department of Audiology, Leiden University, has developed a musicality test, known as the Leiden Music Percetion Test , LMPT, consisting now of seven parameters, among which Loudness, Rhythm, overtone, etc.

Graduation project

In this Msc. Project, an algorithm to (partially) compensate the reduced perception of music is to be developed. This algorithm could be used to improve the music perception of hearing impaired people, by properly adjusting the signals played back to the user. Optionally, the algorithm could as well be used to improve the music perception of normal hearing people to improve their musical skills. From the seven parameters defined in the LMPT, it is proposed to select one or two, and initially develop a perceptual model that reflects the perception of these parameters. Subsequently, the model can be optimized for, and used to adjust the signals (music) played back to the user.

The outcome of this project can be evaluated using two different user groups. These are, people with a hearing handicap in collaboration with the Department of Audiology, Leiden, as well in a group of musical students from the Conservatory in The Hague.

Collaboration and Preliminary knowledge

This project is a collaboration with the Audiology department of LUMC, Leiden, as well as with the Conservatory in The Hague. Preliminary knowledge for this project, are the courses Statistical signal processing and Digital audio and speech processing.

Potential direction

At the start of the project, a few parameters reflecting the perception of music need to be selected. Based on these parameters, a perceptual model needs to be developed that reflects these parameters as well as the listeners’ reduced capability to perceive these musical quantities. This model can then be optimized in order optimally pre-process music signals and present them to the listener.

Supervisors:

  • Delft: Dr. ir. Richard C. Hendriks
  • Leiden: Dr. ir. J. A. P. M. de Laat
  • Initiators of the project: Dr. B. Glazenburg and Dr. E. Rijntjes

Contact

dr.ir. Richard Hendriks

Signal Processing Systems Group

Department of Microelectronics

Last modified: 2018-08-24