Modeling off-frequency binaural masking for short- and long-duration signals
Marc Nitschmann1, Ifat Yasin2, G Bruce Henning3
1Department of Experimental Audiology, Otto von Guericke University, Leipziger Str. 44, 39120 Magdeburg, Germany.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|September 3, 2017
Summary
This study investigates how signal duration affects binaural masking-level differences. Shorter signals rely less on modulation cues, impacting auditory perception.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Psychoacoustics
Background:
- Binaural masking-level differences (BMLDs) are crucial for sound localization and perception.
- The influence of signal duration on BMLDs, particularly off-frequency BMLDs, requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the impact of signal duration (12 ms vs. 600 ms) on binaural masking-pattern data.
- To simulate and understand the role of monaural modulation cues in BMLDs.
Main Methods:
- Experimental presentation of tonal signals (400-600 Hz) with varying diotic or dichotic (180° interaural phase difference) conditions.
- Masking noise centered at 500 Hz with an 11-Hz bandwidth.
- Simulations using a binaural model incorporating monaural modulation sensitivity.
Main Results:
- Experimental data align with previous findings and hypotheses.
- Model simulations confirm that duration significantly affects off-frequency BMLDs.
- The impact of duration on off-frequency BMLDs is primarily attributed to monaural modulation cues present in longer signals.
Conclusions:
- Monaural modulation cues are critical for detecting longer signals and influence off-frequency BMLDs.
- Signal duration plays a significant role in the mechanisms underlying binaural hearing.
