Voice gender release from masking in cochlear implant users is correlated with binaural pitch fusion

Abstract

Spatial and voice gender separation of target from masking speech leads to substantial release from masking in normal-hearing listeners. However, binaural pitch fusion is often broad in cochlear implant (CI) listeners, such that dichotic stimuli with pitches differing by up to 3-4 octaves are fused (Reiss et al., 2014). We hypothesized that broad binaural fusion could reduce a listener’s ability to separate competing speech streams with different voice pitches, and thus reduce the voice gender as well as spatial benefit for speech perception in noise. Speech reception thresholds were measured in both bilateral and bimodal CI users, using male and female target talkers at two spatial configurations (co-location and 60-degrees of target-masker separation). Binaural pitch fusion was also measured. Different-gender maskers improved target detection performance in bimodal CI users, and performance was better with female than male targets in bilateral CI users. No spatial benefit was seen in either CI group. As hypothesized, voice gender masking release was strongly correlated with binaural fusion range in bimodal CI users. These results suggest that sharp binaural fusion is necessary for maximal speech perception in noise in bimodal CI users, but does not benefit bilateral CI users. [Work supported by NIH-NIDCD grant R01 DC01337.]

Interaction between voice-gender difference and spatial separation in release from masking in multi-talker listening environments

“…Differences in voice characteristics between talkers of different genders lead to greater masking release than differences in voice characteristics between talkers of the same gender (e.g., Brungart, 2001 ; Brungart et al , 2001 ; Ericson et al , 2004 ). Oh and Reiss (2017) referred to this benefit as “voice gender release from masking” (VGRM), where “gender” denotes the classical categorization of a talker's voice with their assigned sex at birth. In those investigations, when the target and masker talkers were different genders, percent correct target identification was 15%–20% points higher than conditions with same-gender talker and maskers.…”

Development and Standardization of an Arabic Test for Spatial Listening in Children

“…According to Oh and Reiss (2017) (11) investigations, when the target and masker talkers were different genders, percent correct target identification was 15% -20% points higher than conditions with same-gender talker and maskers. Also, there is significant difference between all age subgroups in all conditions.…”

Factors underlying masking release by voice-gender differences and spatial separation cues in multi-talker listening environments in listeners with and without hearing loss

“…Here, the improvement they can provide for speech segregation is referred to as “release from masking.” Specifically, the release from masking by the cues from vocal-characteristic differences is termed “voice-gender release from masking” (VGRM), and the masking release by spatial separation cues is termed “spatial release from masking” (SRM). It should be noted that the term VGRM was originally proposed in the study by Oh and Reiss, 2017a , b and used in their other studies ( Oh et al, 2021 , 2022 ). Here, “gender” denotes the classical categorization of a talker’s voice with their assigned sex at birth.…”