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Free-field release from masking.
K Saberi1, L Dostal, T Sadralodabai
1Psychoacoustics Laboratory, California State University, Los Angeles 90032.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|September 1, 1991
Summary
Spatial separation significantly impacts auditory masking release. This study investigated how varying signal and masker locations affects masking-level differences (MLDs), finding maximum MLDs of 15 dB horizontally and 8 dB vertically.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Perception
- Psychoacoustics
- Spatial Hearing
Background:
- Understanding auditory masking is crucial for hearing science.
- Spatial release from masking describes how sound source location affects audibility.
- Masking-level differences (MLDs) quantify this effect.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate free-field release from masking.
- To examine the influence of spatial separation between signal and masker on MLDs.
- To measure MLDs across horizontal and vertical planes, and under monaural conditions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a two-interval, forced-choice (2IFC) adaptive paradigm.
- Employed a click train signal and broadband white noise masker.
- Measured masked and absolute thresholds for various signal and masker source locations in free-field and monaural conditions.
Main Results:
- Maximum MLDs of 15 dB were observed along the horizontal plane.
- Maximum MLDs of 8 dB were observed along vertical planes.
- Monaural conditions yielded maximum MLDs of 9 dB.
Conclusions:
- Spatial separation between signal and masker is a significant factor in auditory masking release.
- The extent of masking release varies depending on the spatial configuration (horizontal, vertical, monaural).
- Findings contribute to understanding binaural hearing and sound localization mechanisms.