Interaural Phase and the Release from Masking

Abstract

In previous presentations to this congress we have reported an increase in intelligibility of isolated words at poor signal-to-noise ratios when the phase angle differences between the ears were adjusted to certain values. Question has arisen as to whether this phenomenon is one of a peculiar property of speech or one of that kind usually called release from masking. Therefore, a study was done to compare normal voiced speech with whispered speech at a signal-to-noise ratio of 0 dB and subject to various phase angle differences between the ears. Data are presented which suggest that the apparent release from masking may be due in part to properties of voice, but not entirely so.

Key Words:

• Auditory masking
• Binaural listening
• Interaural phase difference
• Speech-to-noise ratio
• Masking level difference