A method for evaluating the relation between sound source segregation and masking

Abstract

Sound source segregation refers to the ability to hear as separate entities two or more sound sources comprising a mixture. Masking refers to the ability of one sound to make another sound difficult to hear. Often in studies, masking is assumed to result from a failure of segregation, but this assumption may not always be correct. Here a method is offered to identify the relation between masking and sound source segregation in studies and an example is given of its application.