J Audiol Otol.  2019 Oct;23(4):187-192. 10.7874/jao.2019.00115.

Comparison of Speech Rate and Long-Term Average Speech Spectrum between Korean Clear Speech and Conversational Speech

• Yoo J
• Oh H
• Jeong S
• Jin IK

• KMID: 2460019
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.7874/jao.2019.00115

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Clear speech is an effective communication strategy used in difficult listening situations that draws on techniques such as accurate articulation, a slow speech rate, and the inclusion of pauses. Although too slow speech and improperly amplified spectral information can deteriorate overall speech intelligibility, certain amplitude of increments of the mid-frequency bands (1 to 3 dB) and around 50% slower speech rates of clear speech, when compared to those in conversational speech, were reported as factors that can improve speech intelligibility positively. The purpose of this study was to identify whether amplitude increments of mid-frequency areas and slower speech rates were evident in Korean clear speech as they were in English clear speech.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
To compare the acoustic characteristics of the two methods of speech production, the voices of 60 participants were recorded during conversational speech and then again during clear speech using a standardized sentence material.
RESULTS
The speech rate and long-term average speech spectrum (LTASS) were analyzed and compared. Speech rates for clear speech were slower than those for conversational speech. Increased amplitudes in the mid-frequency bands were evident for the LTASS of clear speech.
CONCLUSIONS
The observed differences in the acoustic characteristics between the two types of speech production suggest that Korean clear speech can be an effective communication strategy to improve speech intelligibility.

Keyword

Speech acoustics; Speech perception; Speech intelligibility; Communication; Rehabilitation

MeSH Terms

Acoustics
Rehabilitation
Speech Acoustics
Speech Intelligibility
Speech Perception
Voice