The effects of feedback filtering on speaker intelligibility

Area of Science:

• Speech Communication
• Auditory Perception
• Psychoacoustics

Background:

• Understanding how speakers adjust their vocal output is crucial for speech production research.
• Auditory feedback plays a significant role in vocal regulation.
• Previous hypotheses suggested speakers modulate voice for listener intelligibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether speakers alter vocal intensity to enhance intelligibility under filtered auditory feedback.
• To determine if speakers modulate their voice to compensate for altered auditory feedback or for self-monitoring loudness.

Main Methods:

• Participants performed intelligibility tests while listening to their own voices through low- or high-pass filters.
• Vocal intensity levels were manipulated, with conditions allowing and controlling for intensity increases.
• Speaker intelligibility was assessed by listeners.

Main Results:

• Vocal intensity adjustments in low-pass filtering conditions led to increased speaker intelligibility.
• When vocal intensity was controlled, intelligibility did not improve despite filtering.
• Feedback filtering had a variable impact on overall intelligibility.

Conclusions:

• The findings do not support the hypothesis that speakers primarily modulate their voice for listener-directed intelligibility.
• Evidence suggests speakers may adjust vocal intensity to regulate perceived loudness in their own ears.
• Self-perception of loudness appears to be a significant factor in vocal self-regulation.