Provided are methods and systems for improving the intelligibility of speech in a noisy environment. A communication model is developed that includes noise inherent in the message production and message interpretation processes, and considers that these noises have fixed signal-to-noise ratios. The communication model forms the basis of an algorithm designed to optimize the intelligibility of speech in a noisy environment. The intelligibility optimization algorithm only does something (e.g., manipulates the audio signal) when needed, and thus if no noise is present the algorithm does not alter or otherwise interfere with the audio signals, thereby preventing any speech distortion. The algorithm is also very fast and efficient in comparison to most existing approaches for speech intelligibility enhancement, and therefore the algorithm lends itself to easy implementation in an appropriate device (e.g., cellular phone or smartphone).