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Simple method for predicting the distraction due to speech and babble

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Task-irrelevant speech is a general problem in various work environments. The adverse impacts of such speech on noise distraction and cognitive performance are known to increase with increasing speech intelligibility. There is no method to measure the distraction potential of sound environments. Our purpose was to develop a method (a simple linear equation) to determine the distraction due to sound environments containing speech or babble. The input variables should be measurable with a standard sound level meter. We conducted three independent psychoacoustic experiments. Experiment 1 (N=10) was a pilot study. Experiment 2 (N=41) was the main study, where the method was developed. Experiment 3 (N=43) was conducted to validate the method of Experiment 2 using an independent group of people. We used stimuli that consisted of both multi-voice speech (0-12 simultaneous speakers) and steady-state broadband masking noise. The signal-to-noise ratio of speech was varied (-5 to +25 dB) as well as the overall level (40, 50, or 60 dB LAeq). Participants assessed the distraction while they imagined doing private work. All three experiments supported the hypothesis. We could develop a simple equation that predicted the subjective distraction potential, based on measured values of LAeq and LA5 - LA95, with very high correlation (R2>0.80). Experiment 3 also showed that it does not matter if the speech is presented in mother language or not. The method is useful for professionals who need to rapidly assess the distraction of sound environments. The method can be directly applied in standard sound level meters.
DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2025.112915
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,280
OpenAlex ID: W4408749657
FWCI: 2.736
Cites: 30
Cited by: 2
Related to: 10