Temporal masking of speech.

Temporal masking effects of a 50 msec noise-burst on the perception of three voiceless stop consonants in CV syllables, /pa/, /ta/, /ka/, /pu/, /tu/, and /ku/, were investigated. Temporal relations between the noise and syllable ranging between 600 msec before to 150 msec within the syllable, and six different noise spectra, comprising one wide-band and five octave-bands, were used. Two noise sound pressure levels, 88 dB and 96 dB, and six syllable levels, comprising seven S/N ratios between -22 dB and -50 dB were investigated. Listening tests were conducted on two groups of ten subjects with normal hearing. Results demonstrated masking from noise-bursts 150 msec before to 150 msec after the beginning of the syllable. Consistent relations were found between the noise spectra and both masking and substitution errors for different consonants. Differences as a function of talkers and vowels were also observed