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The precedence effect for lateralization at low sensation levels.
S T Goverts1, T Houtgast, H H van Beek
1Department of Otolaryngology/Audiology Academisch Ziekenhuis Vrije Universiteit, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB Amsterdam, The Netherlands. st.goverts@azvu.nl
Hearing Research
|September 9, 2000
Summary
Stimulus onset dominance, or the precedence effect, is crucial for sound localization. This effect, important for hearing in noise, is reduced at low sensation levels but remains noticeable.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Psychoacoustics
- Speech Perception
Background:
- The precedence effect, or stimulus onset dominance, influences auditory localization.
- Understanding its behavior at low sensation levels is vital for real-world auditory perception.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the precedence effect for sound lateralization at low sensation levels.
- To quantify how sensation level impacts the strength of onset dominance.
Main Methods:
- Utilized dichotic headphone presentation of filtered noise bursts.
- Employed a paradigm varying leading/lagging parts with opposite lateralization cues.
- Measured lateral perception across decreasing signal levels and in the presence of masking noise.
Main Results:
- The precedence effect's occurrence and strength depend significantly on sensation level.
- Onset dominance decreased notably at sensation levels below 30-40 dB SL.
- Even at a 10 dB SL in noise, onset dominance was still present, though diminished.
Conclusions:
- Sensation level is a critical factor influencing the precedence effect.
- While reduced at low levels, onset dominance persists in typical listening conditions.
- Findings have implications for understanding hearing in noisy environments.