Modulation detection interference and its relationship to speech perception in noise in typically hearing adults

Adequately processing amplitude modulation is crucial for speech intelligibility. When faced with concurrent speech streams, background modulations interfere with the perception of the target signal. This study investigated modulation detection interference (MDI) and its relationship to speech perception in noise (SPiN). Results indicated maximal interference when background modulation rates matched that of the target. Interference declined as background modulation rates diverged. However, neither absolute modulation sensitivity nor MDI susceptibility significantly related to SPiN performance. Modulation processing is thus governed by across-channel mechanisms specifically tuned to envelope fluctuations, and does not appear to relate to SPiN directly in adults with typical hearing.