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Intelligibility as a measure of speech perception: Current approaches, challenges, and recommendations
Melissa M Baese-Berk1, Susannah V Levi2, Kristin J Van Engen3
1Department of Linguistics, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, USA.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|February 2, 2023
Summary
Speech intelligibility measures, assessing listener transcription accuracy, have limitations. This study argues for reconsidering their role in speech perception research due to overlooking factors like listening effort.
Area of Science:
- Speech perception research
- Psycholinguistics
- Auditory neuroscience
Background:
- Intelligibility measures are standard in speech perception research.
- These metrics quantify listener accuracy in transcribing or repeating speech units (words/phonemes).
- Despite benefits, current measures have significant limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- Critically evaluate the strengths and limitations of intelligibility measures.
- Argue for a reevaluation of the role of these measures in various scientific fields.
- Highlight the inadequacy of intelligibility measures in capturing nuanced perceptual aspects like listening effort.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and critical analysis of existing intelligibility measures.
- Examination of the theoretical underpinnings and practical applications of these measures.
- Comparative analysis with alternative or complementary methods for assessing speech perception.
Main Results:
- Intelligibility measures offer a quantifiable yet incomplete picture of speech perception.
- These measures often fail to account for cognitive load and listening effort.
- The current reliance on intelligibility may oversimplify complex auditory processing.
Conclusions:
- The role of intelligibility measures in speech perception research requires reconsideration.
- Future research should incorporate measures of listening effort and other cognitive factors.
- A more holistic approach is needed for a comprehensive understanding of speech perception across linguistics, communication disorders, and psychology.
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