Abstract：
Spatial separation and fundamental frequency (F0) separation are effective cues for improving the intelligibility of target speech in multi-talker scenarios. Previous studies predominantly focused on spatial configurations within the frontal hemifield, overlooking the ipsilateral side and the entire median plane, where localization confusion often occurs. This study investigated the impact of spatial and F0 separation on intelligibility under the above-mentioned underexplored spatial configurations. The speech reception thresholds were measured through three experiments for scenarios involving two to four talkers, either in the ipsilateral horizontal plane or in the entire median plane, utilizing monotonized speech with varying F0s as stimuli. The results revealed that spatial separation in symmetrical positions (front-back symmetry in the ipsilateral horizontal plane or front-back, up-down symmetry in the median plane) contributes positively to intelligibility. Both target direction and relative target-masker separation influence the masking release attributed to spatial separation. As the number of talkers exceeds two, the masking release from spatial separation diminishes. Nevertheless, F0 separation remains as a remarkably effective cue and could even facilitate spatial separation in improving intelligibility. Further analysis indicated that current intelligibility models encounter difficulties in accurately predicting intelligibility in scenarios explored in this study.
摘要：
空间分离和基频（F0）分离是改善多说话者场景中目标语音清晰度的有效线索。以前的研究主要集中在额叶半场内的空间配置，俯瞰同侧和整个中间平面，经常发生本地化混乱的地方。这项研究调查了在上述未充分开发的空间配置下，空间和F0分离对可懂度的影响。通过涉及两到四个说话者的三个实验来测量语音接收阈值，在同侧水平面或整个中间平面，利用具有变化的F0s的单调语音作为刺激。结果表明，对称位置的空间分离（同侧水平面或前后对称，中值平面的上下对称性）对清晰度有积极的贡献。目标方向和相对目标掩蔽物分离都会影响归因于空间分离的掩蔽释放。由于说话者的数量超过两个，从空间分离的掩蔽释放减少。然而，F0分离仍然是非常有效的线索，甚至可以促进空间分离以提高清晰度。进一步的分析表明，当前的可懂度模型在准确预测本研究探索的场景中的可懂度方面遇到困难。
