On the problem of listening while talking.

The Gauffin and Sundberg technique of assessing masking during vocalization was modified and tested on 22 normal-hearing and 20 hearing-impaired subjects. The masking effect of the vocalized [a:] on narrow-band noise pulses (250-8,000 Hz) and on test reading was studied. The results showed that the female voice was about 4 dB more efficient in masking external speech compared to the male voice and that the female voice had a high-frequency bias of masking the narrow-band noise, whereas the male voice had a low-frequency bias.

Self-masking: Listening during vocalization. Normal hearing.

What underlying mechanisms are involved in the ability to talk and listen simultaneously and what role does self-masking play under conditions of hearing impairment? The purpose of the present series of studies is to describe a technique for assessment of masked thresholds during vocalization, to describe normative data for males and females, and to focus on hearing impairment. The masking effect of vocalized [a:] on narrow-band noise pulses (250-8000 Hz) was studied using the maximum vocalization method. An amplitude-modulated series of sound pulses, which sounded like a steam engine, was masked until the criterion of halving the perceived pulse rate was reached.

Communication as an ecological system.

A conceptual framework for human communication, based on traditional biological ecology, is further developed. The difference between communication at the message and behavioural levels is emphasized. Empirical data are presented from various studies, showing that degree of satisfaction with communication is correlated with how close the outcome is to the memory of function prior to hearing impairment.

Effect on directional hearing in hunters using amplifying (level dependent) hearing protectors.

Background: Ear protectors have gained limited use in real hunting situations because they interfere with rifle handling, eye glasses, listening to conversation and environmental sounds, and impair sound localization ability. Level-dependent protectors have relieved some drawbacks, but sound localization is still affected by most protectors. A new, all-in-the-ear protector is promising, and the primary purpose of this study was to investigate influence of all-in-the-ear protectors on sound localization.