Identification of known voices as a function of familiarity and narrow-band coding

Abstract

Tape recordings of 24 speakers conversing over an unprocessed channel and over an LPC voice processing system were subjected to listening tests. The listeners were 24 co-workers who attempted to identify each speaker from a group of about 40 people working in the same branch. Prior to the recognition test, each of the listeners also rated his or her familiarity with each of the speakers and the distinctiveness of each speaker’s voice. There was some loss in voice recognition over LPC, but the recognition accuracy was still quite high (69% vs 88% for unprocessed voices), suggesting that frequently voiced concerns about speaker recognition over narrow-band voice communication systems may not be justified. Talker familiarity was significantly correlated with correct identifications. There was no significant correlation between the rated distinctiveness of the speaker and correct identifications. However, familiarity and distinctiveness ratings were highly correlated. This suggests that people consider a familiar voice to be distinctive regardless of whatever characteristics might make that particular voice stand out in a crowd.