The precedence effect reduces masking from reflections in rooms

Evidence

The precedence effect is a powerful process of the ear to reduce the impact that sound reflections have on perception, and is extremely important for our hearing in enclosed spaces. Without it, we likely would experience greater masking effects when communicating in rooms. The precedence effect can also be exploited in algorithms used to enhance signals presented across speakers. — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 1574

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to echo suppression and the design of hearing aid/assistive-listening algorithms; relevant to the reader’s interest in applied audiology. — connects to: Precedence accumulates source information while late arrivals actively disrupt perception; Floor reflections are perceptually benign and removing them sounds unnatural.; The precedence effect suppresses spatial identity of reflections, not their audibility — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 840 (+5 more)
• corroborated: 2 independent passages support this claim — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 1574

Broader Connections

• The precedence effect suppresses spatial identity of reflections, not their audibility #qualifies (0.85) — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 840
• Room reverberation barely affects early reflection audibility but strongly elevates late-reflection thresholds #complicates (0.80) — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 630
• Diffusing surfaces may not reduce perceived reflection loudness as expected #complicates (0.75) — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 655
• Early wall reflections pin perceived sound space to room size #expands (0.72) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 2283
• Removing conflicting reflections improves perception of low-level audio detail #expands (0.72)