Learning effect observed for the speech reception threshold in interrupted noise with normal hearing listeners

Traditionally, the speech reception threshold (SRT) for sentences in noise is measured in stationary speech-shaped noise; however, non-stationary masking noises are gradually becoming more common. A previous study by Rhebergen et al. (2006) suggested that a learning effect might be present for the SRT in interrupted noise but not in stationary noise. The current study tested if a stable SRT for female or male speech is reached by determining SRTs in listeners with normal hearing in either stationary or 8-Hz interrupted noise after five replications. Contrary to repeated SRT measurements in stationary noise, a significant improvement was observed for SRTs in interrupted noise with replication. For both speech materials, after Five replications, the SRT in interrupted noise improved about 3 to 4 dB in comparison to the first SRT. Stable thresholds seem to be reached after about two replications. This experiment shows that there is a substantial learning effect present in SRT measurements with interrupted noise but not in stationary noise. With non-stationary noise, it is recommended to include a repeated measures design.