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Disrupting within-channel cues to comodulation masking release.
Simon A Goldman1, Thomas Baer, Brian C J Moore
1Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3EB, England. sag47@cam.ac.uk
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|May 17, 2011
Summary
Comodulation masking release (CMR) relies on both across- and within-channel auditory cues. Disrupting within-channel cues via on-frequency band (OFB) reversal significantly reduced CMR, demonstrating their importance.
Area of Science:
- Auditory perception
- Psychoacoustics
- Signal processing in hearing
Background:
- Comodulation masking release (CMR) is influenced by flanking bands (FBs) near the signal frequency.
- Both across-channel and within-channel auditory cues contribute to CMR.
- Within-channel cues may involve envelope beats within auditory filters.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of within-channel cues in CMR.
- To examine the effect of disrupting envelope beats using an on-frequency band (OFB) reversal technique.
- To determine if OFB reversal impacts CMR when FBs are proximal to the signal.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an on-frequency band (OFB) reversal method to disrupt envelope beats within the auditory filter centered at the signal frequency.
- Assessed CMR using a flanking-band (FB) paradigm with proximal and distal FB pairs.
- Compared CMR with OFB reversal to conditions with single FBs, distal FB pairs, and FBs in the opposite ear.
Main Results:
- OFB reversal consistently reduced CMR for proximal FB pairs.
- CMR was not reduced for single FBs, distal FB pairs, or when FBs were presented to the opposite ear.
- Simulations indicated OFB reversal diminished within-channel cues from temporal fine structure and envelope statistics.
Conclusions:
- Within-channel cues, specifically those based on envelope beats, play a crucial role in comodulation masking release (CMR).
- The OFB reversal method effectively isolates and disrupts these within-channel contributions.
- Findings highlight the interplay between across-channel and within-channel processes in auditory masking release.
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