Original Article: Binaural masking level difference for speech signals in noise: Diferencia en el nivel de enmascaramiento binaural para señates vocales en ruido

Abstract

This study investigates the binaural masking level difference in both detection and recognition of speech embedded in noise when the signal is phase-shifted 180° between the left and the right ear. Swedish spondaic words masked by noise were presented binaurally to 10 normally hearing subjects. The results are presented in terms of speech detection threshold, speech recognition threshold, a psychometric function of speech recognition versus signal-to-noise ratio, and speech intelligibility as a function of binaural intelligibility level difference. Both speech detection threshold and speech intelligibility improved when the speech signal was phase-shifted 180°. The binaural intelligibility level difference ranged from 5.7 to 7.7 dB.

Key Words:

• Binaural masking level difference
• Spondaic words
• Speech detectión threshold
• Speech intelligibility
• Intelligibility level difference