For prerecorded audio-only content that (1) contains primarily speech in the foreground, (2) is not an audio CAPTCHA or audio logo, and (3) is not vocalization intended to be primarily musical expression (like singing), at least one of the following is true:
- No Background: The audio contains no background sounds.
- Turn Off: The background sounds can be turned off.
- 20 dB Lower: The background sounds are at least 20 decibels lower than the foreground speech content (with exceptions for occasional sounds).
Why It Matters
Background sounds or music can make it difficult for people with hearing impairments to understand foreground speech. The 20-decibel difference (about 4 times quieter) helps ensure speech remains intelligible over background noise. Providing an option to turn off background sounds offers the best experience.
Fixing the Issue
When producing speech-focused audio content (like podcasts, interviews, narration):
- Record in a quiet environment to minimize background noise.
- Avoid adding unnecessary background music or sound effects.
- If background audio is included, ensure it is significantly quieter (at least 20dB) than the speech during editing/mixing.
- Alternatively, provide separate audio tracks for speech and background sounds, allowing the user (or player) to adjust or mute the background track.
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