The speech-masking potency of inherent noise fluctuations depends on listener frequency selectivity and level

Evidence

Overall, the results show that the importance of inherent masker fluctuations in determining speech intelligibility in noise depends to some extent on the conditions and the listening population. It cannot be claimed that inherent masker fluctuations always limit speech perception, as the effect of the fluctuations is non-existent in CI users (Oxenham and Kreft 2014 ), and is greatly reduced in HI listeners and in NH listeners at high sound levels. Finally, the reduced effect of inherent fluctuations may also provide a reason for why HI listeners (as well as CI users) exhibit less masking release in the presence of maskers with imposed additional fluctuations. — Dijk, Pim van, Physiology, Psychoacoustics and…, 2164

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the broader question of why cochlear implant and hearing-impaired users get less benefit from fluctuating maskers (informational masking release) — parallels the earlier chapter theme on temporal fine structure loss.