What is the effect of an incorrectly adjusted speech processor?

While a speech processor can greatly improve signal readability, setting the compression level too high leads to several severe negative consequences. Overdriving the audio or RF stages clips the signal excessively, which directly results in heavily distorted speech that is harsh and difficult to understand. Furthermore, this severe clipping creates spurious RF emissions known as intermodulation products, or 'splatter,' which cause interference on adjacent frequencies. Finally, because a speech processor boosts quieter sounds to match the louder ones, it will readily pick up and transmit excessive background noise like cooling fans or room echoes. Therefore, all of these detrimental effects happen when a processor is improperly adjusted.