Within-speech forward masking hampers consonant identification for hearing-impaired listeners

Evidence

The reduced release from forward masking has substantial implications for listeners with sensorineural hearing loss. Even when target stimuli are presented in a quiet environment, components of the target stimulus that precede other components can drastically influence the ability to extract information present throughout the duration of the target. For example, within a speech signal, a high-intensity vowel could, in theory, forward-mask a low-intensity consonant, causing difficulty for the listener with hearing loss to identify that consonant. Slowing speech can also help with forward masking effects, but is not always easily achievable. — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 1111 (#expands, via linked claim)

More subtly, it is possible for speech that is produced at high levels to mask itself. That is, if the speech is too loud, then, notwithstanding the improvement in signal-to-noise ratio, the intelligibility is reduced, because the low-frequency components of the speech mask the high-frequency components due to the upward spread of masking. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 2480 (#complicates, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Speech discrimination requires intact frequency resolution; Loud flanking syllables immediately preceding a soft target induce forward masking — Dijk, Pim van, Physiology, Psychoacoustics and…, 4045; Slow release from forward masking impairs comprehension of rapid speech. — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 1039 (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• Prolonged forward masking makes vowels mask consonants in impaired ears #expands (0.85) — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 1111
• Loud speech can mask its own high-frequency components via upward spread of masking #complicates (0.75) — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 2480