Measuring the acoustic effects of compression amplification on speech in noise.
This letter contains a description of an inversion technique that allows for separation of speech and noise and its application to quantifying the acoustic effects of wide-dynamic-range compression (WDRC) on speech in background noise. Three main findings are reported: that fast-acting WDRC further degrades signal-to-noise ratio; that the effective compression ratio is lower for speech in noise than speech in quiet; and that in contrast to speech in quiet, the amplitude envelope of speech is mostly unaffected when compressed in background noise.
Souza
Pamela E
PE
Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105, USA.
Jenstad
Lorienne M
LM
Boike
Kumiko T
KT
D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009622:Noise; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013067:Speech Perception / Q000502:physiology*