How vocal timbre impacts word identification and listening effort in traffic-shaped noises

This study investigated how variation in vocal timbre (e.g., neutral and twangy) influences intelligibility and listening effort in traffic-shaped noises. Word identification and subjective listening effort ratings were used to assess timbre effects. Intelligibility was significantly higher in twangy speech than in neutral speech. Twangy timbre had lower listening effort compared to neutral timbre for female speech only. The twang advantage might arise from higher perceived loudness, higher F1 and F2, and less breathy and hoarse voice quality. The result suggests that vocal timbre adjustments could be a strategy talkers employ to improve intelligibility in noise.