Predicting the path of a changing sound: velocity tracking and auditory continuity

Three studies demonstrate listeners' ability to use the rate of a sound's frequency change (velocity) to predict how the spectral path of the sound is likely to evolve, even in the event of an occlusion. Experiments 1 and 2 use a modified probe-signal method to measure attentional filters and demonstrate increased detection to sounds falling along implied paths of constant-linear velocity. Experiment 3 shows listeners perceive a suprathreshold tone as falling along a trajectory of constant velocity when the frequency is near to the region of greatest detection as measured in Experiments 1 and 2. Further, results show greater accuracy and decreased bias in the use of velocity information with increased exposure to a constant-velocity sound. As the duration of occlusion lengthens, results also show a downward shift (relative to a trajectory of constant velocity) in the frequency at which listeners' detection and experience of a continuous trajectory are greatest. A preliminary model of velocity processing is proposed to account for this downward shift. Results show listeners' use of velocity in extrapolating sounds with dynamically changing spectral and temporal properties and provide evidence for its role in perceptual auditory continuity within a noisy acoustic environment.