It has been 10 years since NTi Audio introduced STIPA (Speech Transmission Index for Public Address Systems) for Speech Intelligibility measurements to their handheld instruments. In this time it has grown to become an accepted industry standard, and the NTi Audio Solution has become the most-used STIPA system in the world.On the recommendation of Thomas Steinbrecher, Senior Designer at BOSE Acoustic Professional, the algorithms for the STIPA measurement process were added to the NTi Audio instruments. Working with the international standards committees, NTi Audio contributed to the ongoing development of speech intelligibility measurement. Over time the STIPA method has been improved, ensuring an even higher correlation to the subjective human perception of intelligibility of speech.
Thomas Steinbrecher reminisces, “In the days before STIPA, speech intelligibility measurements were carried out by only a few experts, usually employing complex and expensive instruments. The tipping point in STIPA development came from the simplification of the process so that the measurements could be practically performed by anyone. This is exactly what NTi achieved with their precise integration of the method into handheld measurement devices. The fortunate consequence is that the intelligibility of announcements, particularly at airports, railway stations and other public buildings, has improved massively in the last decade. We are pleased that we were able to make a positive contribution.”
“And we at NTi Audio are proud to have nurtured such an important breakthrough in clear communications”, adds Philipp Schwizer, CEO of NTi Audio.
The NTi Audio instruments measure the intelligibility of public announcements through the entire system chain; from the speaker’s mouth through the announcement microphone and the loudspeakers to the listener’s ear.
NTi’s TalkBox provides a reference acoustic sound source while the handheld XL2 measures the speech intelligibility at any point within an entire public arena. Given the ease of use, coupled with comprehensive functionality and automatically-generated measurement reports, the NTi Audio Solution is currently the world’s most-used STIPA system.
The speech intelligibility measurement is carried out in accordance with the IEC 60268-16 standards from 2011, 2003 and 1998. NTi’s handheld XL2 measurement instrument provides statistical averages, modulation indices, and the ability to add background noise to the results at the time of measurement, while the consultant is still in the field, and all without requiring any interaction with a PC.
Free Wave File Converter Software for MR-PRO, DR2 and TalkBox
Meanwhile, NTi Audio has released the Wave File Converter, a free PC software that allows creating custom files for playback through NTi Audio signal generators. The application can be used to convert any wav file for the Minirator MR-PRO, DR2 or the TalkBox.
The NTi Audio signal generators are shipped with a comprehensive selection of the most common test signals but with this new option it also becomes possible to load specific waveforms or announcements, even play reference tracks, to improve the efficiency of the process.
The Wave File Converter converts these files into the audio format required for professional signal generators. Optimally the length of the test signals should be kept short. The generators loop the signals automatically and seamlessly.
The Wave File Converter Software is free for all NTi Audio customers to download and can be found in the “updates & support” section for users of registered products.
Read more about speech intelligibility measurements here.
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