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The dynamic range paradox: a central auditory model of intensity change detection
Andrew J R Simpson1, Joshua D Reiss
1Centre for Digital Music, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom. andy.simpson@eecs.qmul.ac.uk
Plos One
|March 29, 2013
Summary
This study resolves a paradox in auditory neuroscience by proposing a central adaptation model. This model explains how humans perceive loudness and detect intensity changes across a wide dynamic range.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Psychoacoustics
- Computational Neuroscience
Background:
- Humans perceive loudness and discriminate intensity changes over a large dynamic range.
- Existing models assume loudness and intensity discrimination rely on the same neural signal, but data show discrepancies.
- Loudness grows with intensity, yet intensity discrimination performance does not follow the same trend, creating a dynamic range paradox.
Purpose of the Study:
- To resolve the paradox between loudness perception and intensity discrimination within the auditory system's dynamic range.
- To test a central adaptation model that accounts for discrepancies in neural signal estimations from loudness and just-noticeable difference (JND) data.
- To investigate the role of central adaptation in processing auditory intensity information.
Main Methods:
- Empirical loudness modeling and numerical optimization were used to explore the dynamic range problem in auditory neuroscience.
- A central adaptation model, focusing on adaptation to mean loudness and detection of loudness rate of change, was developed and tested.
- Data from a listening test (N=10) involving intensity change detection with varying ramp durations were used to optimize and validate the model.
Main Results:
- The optimized central adaptation model successfully accounted for paradoxical data relating loudness and intensity discrimination.
- Key central adaptation parameters were derived: a central dynamic range of 0.215 sones, 95% central normalization, and a central loudness JND constant of 5.5×10(-5) sones per ms.
- Intensity JND was found to increase with longer duration ramps (p<10(-6)), supporting the rate-of-change detection hypothesis.
Conclusions:
- Loudness perception appears to reflect peripheral neural coding in the auditory system.
- Intensity just-noticeable difference (JND) reflects central neural coding, distinct from peripheral loudness processing.
- The proposed central adaptation model provides a framework for understanding the dynamic range paradox in auditory perception.
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