The time resolution of changes in short duration signal changes-psychoacoustical and electrophysiological studies

Besides intensity and frequency analysis, time resolution ability is an important factor of auditory processing. Psychoacoustical and electrophysiological studies of peripheral and central time analysis phenomena have been performed to obtain more information as to this ability of the hearing organ. By presenting bursts of noise including short-duration intensity or frequency changes we analysed the sensation levels of these short-lasting changes in signal structure. In normally hearing subjects we derived time constants between 3 and 50 ms depending on the degree of intensity or frequency change. The re sults of psychoacoustical and electrophysiological measurements are compared. Age-dependent changes and other abnormalities are discussed.