Training and Guidance Tool for Listening Panels

The interest in assessing and quantifying the acoustical properties of technical products has been increasing during the last years. This applies also to non-audio products. Despite there being several methods for the objective evaluation, that are based on models of the human auditory perception, they can only treat a limited number of application areas reliably [1]. Therefore listening tests have to be performed that deliver reliable and repeatable results. However, they require a large number of subjects from the target groups. As this approach costs a lot of time and money, it is preferable to employ a well trained and properly selected expert listening panel (ELP), which ensures consistent vocabulary usage and reliable rating behavior. Even with the reduced number of subjects, reliable and satisfying statistical conditions can be obtained and this will save both, money and time. Within a research project, an ELP has been recruited [2] at the institution of the authors. This project lasts several years and treats pure research questions up to product benchmarking. Training is necessary to maintain and improve the performance and sensitivity of the ELP members. In this paper we present an expandable computer-based training application, which treats general training as well as specific preliminary tests.