The four factors leading to binaural masking-level differences

A simple extension of the Webster-Jeffress model is presented together with its predictions for the effects of various stimulus parameters on the size of binaural masking-level differences (BMLDs). The four factors leading to BMLDs (just-noticeable differences (JNDs), temporal effects in simultaneous masking, binaural interaction, and temporal effects in non-simultaneous masking) are described, new measurements of the effect of signal duration on the detectability of interaural delay are presented, and the high degree of correlation between observers' sensitivity to changes in level and their sensitivity to changes in interaural delay is demonstrated. A number of examples illustrating where knowledge of JNDs for level and interaural delay and their joint dependence on certain stimulus parameters are sufficient to predict BMLDs are discussed.