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The spectrally dependent monotic component in the decreasing-loudness aftereffect: implications for dynamic auditory
1Psychology Department, University of Ulster at Jordanstown, Northern Ireland. ah.reinhardt-rutland@ulst.ac.uk
The Journal of General Psychology
|March 30, 2001
Summary
Listeners experience a loudness aftereffect. This study found the monotic (one ear) aftereffect is spectrally dependent, unlike the interotic (cross-ear) aftereffect, suggesting it relates to dynamic sound localization processing.
Area of Science:
- Auditory perception
- Psychoacoustics
- Sensory processing
Background:
- Listeners exposed to changing sound intensity experience aftereffects.
- The decreasing-loudness aftereffect involves a perceived decrease in loudness after adaptation to an increasing tone.
- The spectral dependence of this aftereffect is key to understanding its underlying neural mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spectral dependence of the monotic (one ear) and interotic (cross-ear) decreasing-loudness aftereffects.
- To test the hypothesis that the decreasing-loudness aftereffect is linked to sensory processing for dynamic sound localization.
- To compare monotic and interotic aftereffects with a non-adaptation control.
Main Methods:
- Two listeners were exposed to a 1-kHz adapting stimulus.
- Monotic and interotic decreasing-loudness aftereffects were measured.
- Spectral selectivity was assessed by testing with carrier frequencies ranging from 0.5 kHz to 2 kHz.
Main Results:
- The monotic aftereffect showed significant spectral peaking around the 1-kHz adapting frequency.
- The interotic aftereffect exhibited minimal spectral dependence.
- The monotic aftereffect was generally stronger than the interotic aftereffect, except when frequencies differed greatly.
Conclusions:
- The results support the hypothesis that the decreasing-loudness aftereffect involves sensory processing related to dynamic localization.
- Spectral selectivity observed in the monotic aftereffect suggests a role for monaural processing in this phenomenon.
- The findings differentiate the neural pathways involved in monotic versus interotic auditory processing of loudness aftereffects.
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