Abstract: Assessing decoys for use in an audio recognition process for identifying predetermined sounds in an unknown input audio signal, involves a test recognition process for matching known training audio signals to models representing the predetermined sounds and the decoys and determining for each of the decoys, from the results of the test recognition process, a score representing the effect of the respective decoy in the recognition of any of the known training audio signals. An advantage arising from generating scores for decoys is that the chance of a poor selection of decoys can be reduced. Thus the possibility of poor recognition performance arising from poorly selected decoys can be reduced. Furthermore, the requirement for expert input into the decoy creation process, which may be time consuming, can be reduced. This can make it easier, or quicker, or less expensive to install.