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Masker laterality and cueing in forward-masked intensity discrimination
R S Schlauch1, B R Clement, D T Ries
1Department of Communication Disorders, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis 55455, USA. Schla001@maroon.tc.umn.edu
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|February 11, 1999
Summary
This study investigated auditory masking effects on intensity discrimination. Results suggest both cognitive and sensory mechanisms contribute to the observed masking, with contralateral maskers potentially involving the cochlear nucleus.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Psychoacoustics
- Sensory Perception
Background:
- The Weber fraction, a measure of intensity discrimination, can be elevated at mid-levels.
- Understanding the mechanisms behind this elevation is crucial for auditory perception research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the mechanisms underlying midlevel elevation of the Weber fraction using forward-masked intensity discrimination.
- To differentiate between cognitive and sensory contributions to auditory masking.
Main Methods:
- Intensity discrimination was measured using a 1.0-kHz tone with varying ipsilateral, contralateral, and binaural maskers.
- An adaptive procedure was used with listeners having normal hearing.
- Experiments varied masker type (single tone, two-tone) and delivery (ipsilateral, contralateral, binaural).
Main Results:
- Both ipsilateral and binaural maskers caused a significant midlevel elevation of the Weber fraction.
- Contralateral maskers produced a smaller elevation, but still significant.
- Two-tone maskers offered some improvement but did not eliminate the midlevel elevation.
- Cross-talk did not fully explain contralateral masking effects.
Conclusions:
- Auditory masking involves complex mechanisms, potentially a combination of sensory and cognitive factors.
- Cueing results suggest a role for cognitive factors in masking.
- Sensory mechanisms cannot be ruled out for residual masking.
- Contralateral masking mechanisms may be located centrally, possibly in the cochlear nucleus.
