Modelling Attention Levels with Ocular Responses in a Speech-in-Noise Recall Task

Abstract

We applied state-space modelling technique to estimate the cognitive workload of a speech-in-noise (SIN) recall task, based on participants’ oculo-motor responses to speech signals. We estimated common latent attention levels in 15 time bins and observed temporal changes between pupillary dilations and saccade frequencies, given that the both conditions were independent. We also compared two speech type factors (natural vs. synthetic) and three levels of signal-to-noise (-1dB, -3dB, and -5dB) using the estimated parameter distribution. The comparison of experimental factors provided us with insights into differences in participants’ processing of spoken information during a SIN recall task.