Diagnostic acceptability measure for speech communication systems

The Diagnostic Acceptability Measure (DAM) resulted from an extensive program of research on the perceptual correlates of the acceptability of processed speech. Validated on a sample of 210 system-conditions (including virtually every presentday digital voice system) it yields ten experimentally independent diagnostic scores, six based on perceptual qualities of the signal, four on perceptual qualities of the background. Estimates of intelligibility, pleasantness and overall acceptability are obtained from direct judgments and by multiple nonlinear prediction from diagnostic scores. Extremely reliable results are achieved through calibration of individual listeners on the basis of short and long-term performance characteristics.