The ever-growing importance of speech synthesis technologies in today’s world has brought forth new challenges, particularly in evaluating the quality of text-to-speech (TTS) models. With traditional evaluation methods like human evaluations and listening tests, as well as text generation comparisons with BLEU and BLEURT, researchers and developers are continuously seeking innovative solutions to take on these challenges.
A groundbreaking research paper presented at ICASSP 2023, titled “SQuId: Measuring Speech Naturalness in Many Languages,” introduces a potential game-changer to the TTS evaluation landscape. SQuId, or Speech Quality Identification, is a 600M parameter regression model designed to determine the naturalness of speech. Based on a pre-trained mSLAM model, SQuId takes advantage of over a million quality ratings across 42 languages and has been tested in 65 languages, making it a truly multilingual approach to speech synthesis assessment.
SQuId’s main hypothesis is that it will provide a low-cost and efficient method for gauging the quality of TTS models. As a near-instant alternative to time-consuming human evaluations, SQuId emerges as a valuable addition to the world of TTS research. Its notable benefits include:
Despite SQuId’s promising features, some potential challenges need to be addressed while using this evaluation method. For a comprehensive evaluation, it is crucial to complement SQuId assessments with human ratings. However, this allows for continuous improvement and advancements in the tool.
Future development prospects for SQuId include refining the model, incorporating user feedback, and exploring ways to blend human and artificial evaluation systems. With such enhancements, SQuId could further contribute to the progress of speech synthesis technologies and elevate user experiences in both personal and professional settings.
In conclusion, the introduction of SQuId as a powerful tool for evaluating speech synthesis marks a significant milestone in TTS research and development. With further collaboration and continuous improvements, SQuId holds the potential to revolutionize the future of speech synthesis assessment, streamlining the process for tech enthusiasts, AI researchers, and developers alike.
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