Masking thresholds are obtained for each frequency component of sound data and ambient noise. It is determined whether each frequency component of the sound data is masked by at least one of the other frequency components of the sound data. It is further determined whether each frequency component of the sound data is masked by ambient noise. Correction coefficients are set for each frequency component of the sound data according to whether the frequency component is masked by at least one of the other frequency components of the sound data and whether the frequency component is masked by the ambient noise. And each frequency component of the sound data is corrected by using the respective correction coefficients.