The effect of speaking style adaptations on speech perception in noise by native and non-native listeners

DuBois, Michelle; Smith, Irene; Meemann, Kirsten; Smiljanic, Rajka

The effect of speaking style adaptations on speech perception in noise by native and non-native listeners

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Date

2016-04

Authors

DuBois, Michelle

Smith, Irene

Meemann, Kirsten

Smiljanic, Rajka

Department

Linguistics

Description

It is well established that non-native listeners perform worse on speech perception in noise tasks compared to native listeners. In this study, we examined word recognition of conversational, clear (CS) and noise-adapted (NAS) sentences mixed with speech shaped noise (SSN) and competing speech (two-talker (2T) babble) for native and non-native listeners. Our results revealed that CS and NAS significantly improved word recognition in noise for both listener groups, although the gains were substantially greater for native listeners. Native listeners were better able to utilize the intelligibility-enhancing speaking style modifications. Word recognition was overall better in 2T babble than in SSN. This suggests that competing speech containing two talkers is less disruptive and allows “glimpsing” windows through which the target speech could become more easily accessible compared to SSN.