Master Thesis - Wind Noise Metric for Speech Communication

Job Title Master Thesis - Wind Noise Metric for Speech Communication Job Description Category Signal Processing and Acoustics Scope 2 students completing 30/60 credits (20/40 weeks) each Background Wind noise can severely degrade speech captured by microphones, making conversations difficult to understand and unpleasant to listen to. Products designed for two-way communication often use digital signal processing (DSP) to reduce wind noise. However, evaluating how well these solutions work is challenging: reducing wind can also damage speech, make voices sound unnatural, or introduce artifacts such as pumping or choppiness. This thesis will investigate how to assess wind-noise reduction in speech recordings. Rather than relying on a single measure, the aim is to develop a framework with several complementary scores—for example, residual wind noise, speech intelligibility or preservation, and processing artifacts—along with a combined score for comparing solutions. The scores should reflect what matters to listeners in a two-way conversation. Goal The thesis aims at the following goals:

• Investigate existing methods for objectively evaluating speech quality and noise reduction.
• Identify relevant dimensions for assessing wind-noise reduction in two-way speech communication.
• Develop a multi-score evaluation framework, including an overall score for comparing wind-noise reduction methods.
• Record or collect suitable speech samples with different wind conditions and evaluate processed recordings.
• Compare the metric scores with subjective listener assessments.
• Investigate how well the framework distinguishes effective wind suppression from speech damage and processing artifacts.

Who are you? For this thesis proposal, we are looking for students with a strong interest in audio, acoustics, and signal processing. Most likely, you are studying a Master’s Program in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Physics, or a related field. OK, I am interested! What do I do now?

• Applications are accepted in both Swedish and English, and you apply via the proposal advert.
• The announced thesis is open only to students affiliated with a Swedish University/College, either directly or via an exchange program.
• Please apply in pairs. Send one application each, and clearly state who your co-applicant is. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
• Please attach your CV and University/College grade summary.

Who to contact with questions about the position: Please contact Eric Liljeblad, +46722440017. Type of Employment Thesis Worker (Fixed Term) Posting End Date 2026-12-04 Certain roles at Axis require background checks, which means applicable verifications will be done in these recruitments. Notice will be provided before we take any action. About Axis Communications We enable a smarter and safer world by creating innovative solutions for improving security and business performance. As a network technology company and industry leader, we offer solutions in video surveillance, access control, intercom, and audio systems, enhanced by intelligent analytics applications. With around 6,000 committed employees in over 50 countries, we collaborate with partners worldwide. Together, we thrive in our friendly, open, and collaborative culture and inspire each other to think beyond the expected. United by our commitment to inclusion, diversity, and sustainability, we consistently seek to develop our skills and way of working. Let´s create a smarter and safer world For more information about Axis, please visit our website www.axis.com. Listen to Axis Communications Playlist