The Intelligibility of Multiple Talkers Separated Spatially in Noise
Abstract
Speech communication are seldom isolated auditory events in quiet environments. Frequently, the desired speech signal is confounded with other speech signals and noises. Real-world environments often degrade the intelligibility of the desired speech signal. In this book chapter (Binaural and Spatial Hearing in Real and Virtual Environments, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah NJ, publishers, 1997), the literature on the speech intelligibility of competing messages and the masking of speech is reviewed. The literature on the detection of speech is included to describe factors that can affect speech intelligibility. Following the review, several experiments are presented in which the effects of various conflicting signals on speech communications are measured. Virtual audio over headphones is used to investigate the effects of directional separation of talkers, the quantity and gender of talkers, the degree of masker interaural correlation, masking level, and selective attention. The results are discussed and compared with the previous literature.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA395035
Entities
People
- Mark A. Ericson
- Richard L. McKinley
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory