Backward recognition masking of similar and dissimilar environmental sounds

Abstract

Listeners completed a listening task to determine the impact similarity of environmental sounds had on the amount of backward recognition masking that is present. Backward recognition masking has not been studied to environmental sounds previously, therefore, this information may be helpful for understanding safety and situational awareness. Previous work by Rosen (2017) used multi-dimensional scaling analysis to demonstrate perceptual similarity ratings of environmental sounds such as vehicles, appliances, and power tools. These data were used to compare most similar and most dissimilar stimuli to a target environmental stimulus. Stimuli were presented with a 20 ms fixed interstimulus interval. Participants were asked to indicate whether the sounds they heard were the same or different. Target duration was increased for each incorrect response until a comparison threshold was obtained. Results indicated that similar comparisons had significantly larger threshold durations than dissimilar comparisons. Specifically, results indicated that the bathroom fan to box fan comparison threshold was significantly greater than the bathroom fan to impact drill comparison thresholds. Likewise, the weed eater to push mower comparison thresholds were significantly greater than the weed eater to diesel SUV comparison thresholds. However, the jet ranger to bell212 comparison threshold was not significantly different from the jet ranger to circular saw comparison threshold.