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Level dependence of psychophysical frequency resolution and auditory filter shape
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|October 1, 1980
Summary
The auditory filter broadens and shifts to lower frequencies at higher masker levels, particularly for center frequencies above 1 kHz. Nonlinear distortion minimally impacts these auditory filter shape estimations.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Psychoacoustics
- Signal Processing
Background:
- The auditory filter is a critical component of auditory perception, shaping spectral information.
- Understanding its dynamic properties is essential for explaining hearing function and dysfunction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the shape of the auditory filter across different frequencies and masker levels.
- To assess the influence of masker level on auditory filter characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Gated tone thresholds were measured using comb-filtered noise maskers.
- Auditory filter shapes were derived in five frequency regions (0.5, 1, 2, 4, 8 kHz).
- Measurements were conducted across various masker levels.
Main Results:
- Auditory filter shapes widened and became asymmetrical with increasing masker levels for center frequencies > 1 kHz.
- A shift towards lower frequencies was observed in the auditory filter shape at higher masker levels.
- Nonlinear distortion products were identified as a potential source of deviation from assumptions.
Conclusions:
- Auditory filter characteristics are level-dependent, showing significant changes at higher sound intensities.
- The derived filter shapes are robust, with nonlinear distortion causing only minor inaccuracies.
- These findings contribute to a more comprehensive model of auditory processing.