Biology subjects

Monson, B. B.

Publications and source records attributed to Monson, B. B..

2 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2026

Talker head-orientation and extended high-frequency benefits for speech recognition as a function of masker head angle

Several types of cues contribute to speech recognition in multi-talker environments. In this study, we investigated how talker head-orientation related (THOR) cues and extended high- frequency (EHF; >8kHz) cues affect speech-in-speech recognition for both female and male speech. We examined the THOR benefit associated with a non-facing masker talker head orientation (relative to a facing orientation) as a function of masker talker facing angle. The target talker always faced the listener, whereas co-located maskers were tested with eight different masker head angles, ranging from 0{degrees} (facing the listener) to facing 180{degrees} away. Two filtering conditions were tested: full- band and low-pass filtered at 8 kHz. A THOR benefit was observed at masker head angles greater than 45{degrees}, increasing from 2 dB to 8 dB between angles of 67.5{degrees} and 180{degrees}. This benefit was reduced for low-pass filtered speech. Access to EHF cues improved performance, but only for masker head angles >22.5{degrees}. There was no significant relationship between 16-kHz pure-tone thresholds and performance for young, normal-hearing listeners with good EHF hearing. These findings indicate that listeners benefit from non-facing masker talker head orientations >45{degrees} when the target talker is facing the listener, with greater benefit for larger head angles.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2024

Gender and speech material effects on the long-term average speech spectrum, including at extended high frequencies

Gender and language effects on the long-term average speech spectrum (LTASS) have been reported, but typically using recordings that were bandlimited and/or failed to accurately capture extended high frequencies (EHFs). Accurate characterization of the full-band LTASS is warranted given recent data on the contribution of EHFs to speech perception. The present study characterized the LTASS for high-fidelity, anechoic recordings of males and females producing Bamford-Kowal-Bench (BKB) sentences, digits, and unscripted narratives. Gender had an effect on spectral levels at both ends of the spectrum: males had higher levels than females below approximately 160 Hz, owing to lower fundamental frequencies; females had [~]4 dB higher levels at EHFs, but this effect was dependent on speech material. Gender differences were also observed at [~]300 Hz, and between 800-1000 Hz, as previously reported. Despite differences in phonetic content, there were only small, gender-dependent differences in EHF levels across speech materials. EHF levels were highly correlated across materials, indicating relative consistency within talkers. Our findings suggest that LTASS levels at EHFs are influenced primarily by talker and gender, highlighting the need for future research to assess whether EHF cues are more audible for female speech than for male speech.

biophysics↗