The Effect of Semantic Interference on Speech Perception in Noise Ability

Abstract

The goal of this study was to determine the effect of semantically meaningful masker content on speech perception. The maskers included four-talker babble and conversational maskers presented forward and in reverse. Speech perception in noise ability was determined using the AzBio sentences. Semantic interference was identified when speech perception for the reverse masker condition was better than the forward masker condition. Poorer speech perception was found for the forward masker conditions than for the same masker conditions in reverse. Greater semantic interference was found for the four-talker babble conditions as opposed to the conversational masker conditions.