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Perceiving Loudness, Pitch, and Location01:21

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Systematic Hearing Performance Evaluation Process for Adolescents with Cochlear Implantation at Early Ages
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Published on: March 24, 2023

Pitch perception.

William A Yost1

  • 1Speech and Hearing Science, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 870102, Tempe, AZ 85287-0102, USA. william.yost@asu.edu

Attention, Perception & Psychophysics
|November 26, 2009
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This review highlights that temporal models, particularly those using autocorrelation, best explain pitch perception. Temporal regularities in sound waveforms, especially with low frequencies, are key to perceiving pitch.

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Area of Science:

  • Auditory neuroscience
  • Psychoacoustics
  • Perception science

Background:

  • The study of pitch perception has historically involved a debate between spectral and temporal theories.
  • Understanding the mechanisms of pitch perception is crucial for auditory science.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the psychophysical evidence supporting different theories of pitch perception.
  • To evaluate the efficacy of spectral versus temporal models in explaining pitch perception data.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing psychophysical studies on pitch perception.
  • Analysis of theoretical models, including spectral and temporal approaches.
  • Examination of pitch perception for complex auditory stimuli.

Main Results:

  • Temporal theories, especially those employing autocorrelation-like processes, provide a more comprehensive explanation for pitch perception.
  • The perception of pitch in complex sounds is strongly linked to temporal regularities in the waveform.
  • Strongest pitch perception occurs with stimuli containing low-frequency components.

Conclusions:

  • Temporal models are superior in accounting for the majority of psychophysical data on pitch perception.
  • The temporal structure of sound, rather than just spectral content, is fundamental to pitch perception.
  • Autocorrelation-based temporal models offer a robust framework for understanding pitch perception.