Intelligibility of speech under nonexponential decay conditions

Abstract

In this paper, subjective studies made on nonexponentially decaying sounds are described. The various decay conditions are realized by changing the position of the pickup microphone in a reverberation room with a highly absorbing sample on the floor. It is shown, by means of articulation tests, that intelligibility of speech is more close to a highly absorbing sample than away from it. It is also shown that the perception of decay is mainly due to the initial portion of a nonexponential decay. The significance of these studies is determining the acoustics of halls is explained. Subject Classification: 55.20; 70.35; 55.30.