Abstract
A new collection of pseudo-words was recorded from a single female speaker of American English for use in multi-talker speech intelligibility research. The pseudo-words (known as the KARG collection) consist of three groups of single syllable pseudo-words varying only by the initial phoneme. The KARG method allows speech intelligibility to be studied free of the influence of shifts of spatial attention from one loudspeaker location to another in multi-talker contexts. To achieve this, all KARG pseudo-words share the same concluding rimes, with only the first phoneme serving as a distinguishing identifier. This ensures that listeners are unable to correctly identify the target pseudo-word without hearing the initial phoneme. As the duration of all the initial phonemes are brief, much shorter than the time required to spatially shift attention, the KARG method assesses speech intelligibility without the confound of shifting spatial attention. The KARG collection is available free for research purposes.
Highlights
Previously available corpora used in multi-talker speech intelligibility trials have included the coordinate response measure (CRM; Bolia et al, 2000), the British Bamford–Kowal–Bench sentences (Bench and Bamford, 1979), the SPIN lists (Kalikow et al, 1977), and the Modified Rhyme Test (House et al, 1963)
Their long duration, means these corpora are not well suited to speech intelligibility research when multiple talkers at different spatial locations are involved because rapid shifts in spatial attention may confound the results
It has been estimated that the initial focusing of auditory attention on a spatial location can be done in as little as 80 ms (Teder-Sälejärvi and Hillyard, 1998), and other studies show that shifting attention laterally from one location to another may require 200 ms or so (Treisman, 1971; Massaro, 1976)
Summary
Available corpora used in multi-talker speech intelligibility trials have included the coordinate response measure (CRM; Bolia et al, 2000), the British Bamford–Kowal–Bench sentences (Bench and Bamford, 1979), the SPIN lists (Kalikow et al, 1977), and the Modified Rhyme Test (House et al, 1963). Their long duration, means these corpora are not well suited to speech intelligibility research when multiple talkers at different spatial locations are involved because rapid shifts in spatial attention may confound the results.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
