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AI software VoiceTracker detects voice problems in real time
A well-functioning voice is an essential prerequisite for teachers in their daily work. With VoiceTracker, the Fraunhofer IDMT is working on a solution that offers teachers preventive support for the health of their voice. The software analyzes voice quality in real time and detects potential voice problems at an early stage. Interested teachers and companies involved in preventive health care can find out more about VoiceTracker at the didacta education trade fair in Stuttgart from February 11 to 15, 2025.
Oldenburg, 6 February 2025. Using their expertise in the field of audio technology, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT in Oldenburg have developed a demonstrator that can detect voice quality in a reliable and flexible way in everyday life. Teachers put their voices under particular strain every day. Various studies show that teachers are about twice as likely to suffer from voice problems as people who do not teach. The consequences include absences and a reduced quality of life for those affected. Teachers are significantly more likely to be absent due to voice problems than non-teachers. Problems in this context are often recognized too late.
“Early detection and preventive measures are at the heart of the future solution. Teachers receive feedback on their voice quality from our software. This can be used to derive recommendations on how they can specifically protect and care for their voices”, explains Alina Ernst, project manager in the Assistive Speech and Language Analysis group.
At the didacta education trade fair, the researchers would like to meet software providers who aim to offer voice health monitoring tools. In addition, the institute's staff will be addressing interested teachers, who can provide important input for further development with their feedback. Associations, authorities and organizations with a care mandate such as ministries of education, health insurance companies and subsidy offices can find out about the future of voice health to support teachers and reduce voice-related absences.
Long-term, data-safe analysis
The software's recommendations are based on monitoring the voice in the actual working environment over a longer period of time so that vocal changes can be detected at an early stage. VoiceTracker thus gives teachers more confidence and resilience in the daily use of their voice – an important step towards sustainable vocal health. For the implementation, Fraunhofer IDMT combines its own AI-based voice processing technologies for targeted voice filtering with acoustic analyses for voice evaluation. The technology will also take into account relevant environmental factors such as background noise and the acoustics of the classroom. There is no transcription of speech and no evaluation of the teaching or its quality.
Test the tool with interactive demonstrations and meet Alina Ernst and other members of the Assistive Speech and Language Analysis group from Fraunhofer IDMT at stand 3B60 in hall 3 at didacta in Stuttgart from 11 - 15 February 2025. Our experts will be happy to discuss further questions about VoiceTracker with you.
Hearing, Speech and Audio Technology HSA at Fraunhofer IDMT in Oldenburg
Founded in 2008 by Prof. Dr. Dr. Birger Kollmeier and Dr. Jens-E. Appell, the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT’s Branch for Hearing, Speech and Audio Technology HSA stands for market-oriented research and development with a focus on the following areas:
- Speech and event recognition
- Sound quality and speech intelligibility
- Mobile neurotechnology and systems for networked healthcare
With in-house expertise in the development of hardware and software systems for audio system technology and signal enhancement, the employees at the Oldenburg site are responsible for transferring scientific findings into practical, customer-oriented solutions.
Through scientific cooperation, the institute is closely linked to the Carl von Ossietzky University, Jade University of Applied Sciences, and the University of Applied Sciences Emden/Leer. Fraunhofer IDMT is a partner in the »Hearing4all« cluster of excellence and in the Collaborative Research Centre »Hearing Acoustics«.
Further information on https://www.idmt.fraunhofer.de/hsa
Contact for the media:
Christian Colmer
Head of Marketing and Communication
Fraunhofer-Institute for Digital Media Technology IDMT
Oldenburg Branch for Hearing, Speech and Audio Technology HSA
Marie-Curie-Str. 2
26129 Oldenburg
Phone +49 441 2172-436
christian.colmer@idmt.fraunhofer.de
http://www.idmt.fraunhofer.de/hsa
https://www.idmt.fraunhofer.de/hsa
With VoiceTracker, the Fraunhofer IDMT is working on a solution that offers teachers preventive supp ...
Leona Hofmann
Fraunhofer IDMT/Leona Hofmann
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