Perceptually relevant information in energy above 5 kHz for speech and singing

Abstract

Although high-frequency energy (HFE) is typically ignored in the speech perception and music literature, previous work has demonstrated that listeners are able to extract information from the structure of energy above 5 kHz. When exposed to HFE stimuli, listeners could accurately determine the mode of production (speech versus singing) and the gender of the speaker/singer. However, HFE in these previous experiments was presented in isolation at levels higher than what is typical of normal speech and singing. In the series of experiments presented here, the stimuli were presented at more appropriate levels. Additionally, speech-shaped masking noise from 0 to 5.6kHz (set at the mean levels for an average speaker/singer) was used to determine if HFE is usable by listeners even in the presence of masking by the more intense energy below 5 kHz in typical speech/voice listening conditions. Results indicate that even when the HFE stimuli are presented at typical levels and in the presence of a masker, listeners ...