[The effect of different types of music on the perception of speech information]

Under experimental conditions, the masking effect of three types of music and of "white" masking noise was studied using a special speech-audiometric test (L. Tsaneva 1978, 1993). The signal-to-noise relation was found to be the most significant factor affecting spoken information perception, regardless of the type of music used as masking agent (level of correlation coefficients, jR = 0.89). The types of music used (modern, classical, playback) showed no appreciable differences in masking, remaining at the same time stronger masking factors compared to "white" noise. Conclusions were made as to hygienic-ergonomic aspects to be considered for intensity of musical programs in conforming with pertinent standards.