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A Method to Study Adaptation to Left-Right Reversed Audition
Published on: October 29, 2018
Overshoot measured physiologically and psychophysically in the same human ears.
Kyle P Walsh1, Edward G Pasanen, Dennis McFadden
1Department of Psychology, Center for Perceptual Systems, Seay Building, 1 University Station, A8000, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712-0187, USA. kylewalsh@mail.utexas.edu
Hearing Research
|May 1, 2010
Summary
Overshoot effects in hearing were investigated using nonlinear stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs) and behavioral tests. Both measures showed similar patterns, suggesting cochlear function underlies overshoot, modulated by the olivocochlear efferent system.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Psychoacoustics
- Otoacoustic Emissions
Background:
- Behavioral overshoot describes a temporary deficit in auditory detection following noise onset.
- Stimulus-frequency otoacoustic emissions (SFOAEs) are physiological measures reflecting cochlear function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between behavioral overshoot and nonlinear SFOAE measures.
- To determine if cochlear function is essential for overshoot phenomena.
Main Methods:
- Nonlinear SFOAEs were measured using stimulus waveforms similar to those in behavioral overshoot paradigms.
- Behavioral detection of a tonal signal in the presence of various masking noises (wideband, lowpass, bandpass, highpass) was assessed.
- Listeners' behavioral responses and SFOAE measures were compared under different noise conditions.
Main Results:
- Behavioral overshoot, with detection deficits up to 11 dB, was observed.
- Nonlinear SFOAE measures exhibited a similar overshoot effect.
- Both physiological and behavioral measures showed similar effects with wideband, lowpass, and bandpass noise.
- Highpass noise eliminated the overshoot effect in most subjects for both measures.
- The physiological response decay mirrored the temporal course of behavioral overshoot resetting.
Conclusions:
- Basic characteristics of overshoot are likely obligatory consequences of cochlear function.
- The olivocochlear efferent system appears to modulate overshoot phenomena.
- One subject showed no behavioral overshoot despite typical cochlear responses, suggesting further complexities.
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