Comparison of long-term average speech spectra in reading context and spontaneous speech

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the long-term average speech spectra (LTASS) between reading context and spontaneous speech. Methods: A continuous discourse for reading context and answers of an interview for the spontaneous speech were recorded by twenty speakers using a recording system in random order. Recorded stimuli were normalized to a root-mean-square (RMS) level of 65 dB SPL. Then, LTASS were analyzed as a function of frequency. Results: There were no statistical differences between the two different styles in both male and female participants. Differences between the two styles were less than 2.1 dB in male participants and less than 2.9 dB in female participants across all frequency areas. Conclusions: Results of this study indicate that reading context can be considered as a form to reflect the speech understanding in real life like spontaneous speech.