Tehran University of Medical Sciences Auditory and Vestibular Research 2423-480X 0 0 2026 10 14 Speech Perception Challenges: The Role of Second Language Experience Across Masker Types in native Malayalam speakers for Low-frequency Phonetically balanced words 1562 1562 Pradeep Kumar Mahapatra Nitte Institute of Speech and Hearing, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India Dhananjay Rachana Nitte Institute of Speech and Hearing, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India Ritwik Prakash Nitte Institute of Speech and Hearing, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India Ashish Bisht Nitte Institute of Speech and Hearing, Nitte (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, India 2026 04 28 2026 10 14 Background and Aim: Speech perception in noise is influenced by factors like masker type, language familiarity, and the listener’s linguistic experience. In multilingual contexts like India, understanding how second language learning affects native language speech processing is crucial and remains relatively underexplored. The study aimed to examine the effect of learning a new language on speech perception of low-frequency, phonetically balanced (PB) native Malayalam words in the presence of different masker conditions. Methods: A cross-sectional study included 54 native Malayalam-speaking participants (18-25 years) in two groups: Experienced (n=27; >4 years of Kannada exposure) and non-experienced (n=27; no Kannada exposure). Signal-to-noise ratio for 50% correct recognition (SNR-50) and masking release were assessed using the Malayalam low-frequency phonetically balanced (PB)words in the presence of 2-talker (2TB) and 4-talker babble (4TB) in Malayalam, Kannada, and speech-shaped noise (SSN). Results: In both experienced and non-experienced participants, SNR-50 performance followed 2TB > SSN > 4TB. Both groups performed better with native (Malayalam) than non-native (Kannada) maskers. However, no significant differences were observed between the groups. Interestingly, for masking release, the non-experienced group showed slightly more with 2 TB and the non-native (Kannada) masker (p>0.05). Conclusion:  Findings indicated that exposure to Kannada did not produce a significant advantage in perceiving Malayalam low-frequency PB words in different noise conditions.  Future studies with larger samples and different levels of proficiency may further clarify the role of language exposure in speech perception in noise. https://avr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/avr/article/view/1562 https://avr.tums.ac.ir/index.php/avr/article/download/1562/706