  Introduction: Virtual audiovisual technology and its methodology has yet to
be established for psychoacoustic research. This study examined the effects of
different audiovisual conditions on preference when listening to multi-talker
conversations. The study's goal is to explore and assess audiovisual
technologies in the context of hearing research. Methods: The participants
listened to audiovisual conversations between four talkers. Two displays were
tested and compared: a curved screen (CS) and a head-mounted display (HMD).
Using three visual conditions (audio-only, virtual characters and video
recordings), three groups of participants were tested: seventeen young
normal-hearing, ten older normal-hearing, and ten older hearing-impaired
listeners. Results: Open interviews showed that the CS was preferred over the
HMD for older normal-hearing participants and that video recordings were the
preferred visual condition. Young and older hearing-impaired participants did
not show a preference between the CS and the HMD. Conclusions: CSs and video
recordings should be the preferred audiovisual setup of laboratories and
clinics, although HMDs and virtual characters can be used for hearing research
when necessary and suitable.
