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Apr 1982

Volume 71, Issue S1, pp. S1-S113

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back to top Session KK. Psychological Acoustics IV: Interrelations Among Auditory Abilities—Masking
Contributed Papers
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Discriminability of unresolved two‐component Complex tones: Effects of signal level and duration (A)

J. B. Mott and L. L. Feth

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Volume 71, Issue S1, pp. S72-S72 (1982); (1 page)

Online Publication Date: 12 Aug 2005

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In the study to be reported, the discriminability of unresolved two‐component complex (UTCC) tones has been investigated as a function of signal level and duration. These signals were composed of two sinusoidal components separated in frequency by a small ΔF (5, 10, 20, 50, and 100 Hz), and in amplitude by a small ΔI (0, 1, or 3 dB). The complement of each two‐component combination was a signal with the same component frequencies but opposite amplitude ratio. In experiment one, comparisons were made between pure‐tone frequency DL's and the discriminability of members of complementary pairs. In experiment two, discriminability of each member of an UTCC pair from a third UTCC signal having equal component amplitudes was investigated. Changes in the DL were examined as signal level and duration were independently manipulated. Signal durations ranged from 500 to 20 ms. Signal levels ranged from 50 to 10 dB HL. Preliminary analysis of the results of experiment one shows that the DL for pure tones and the discriminability of complementary‐UTCC tones co‐vary with changes in presentation level and duration. For experiment two, the preliminary analysis shows that members of complementary pairs of UTCC tones are more discriminable from one another than from an equal amplitude‐UTCC. Further analysis should show the asymmetries in discriminability evident in the pitch matching of the equal amplitude UTCC tone to each member of the complementary pair [Feth, O'Malley, and Ramsey, J. Acoust. Soc: Am. (in press)]. [Work supported by grants from NINCDS.]
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Masking patterns for unresolved two‐component complex tones (A)

V. Kirby and L. L. Feth

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Volume 71, Issue S1, pp. S72-S72 (1982); (1 page)

Online Publication Date: 12 Aug 2005

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Previous research in this laboratory on the pitch of unresolved, two‐component complex tones (UTCC) indicated that these complexes may have an asymmetric representation in the auditory periphery. These signals are composed of two sinusoidal components separated in frequency by a small ΔF, and in amplitude by a small ΔI. While the long‐term spectra of these signals do not vary with time, they have short‐term periodic variations in both amplitude (envelope) and frequency. For one member of a UTCC pair at a given ΔF, the lower frequency component is more intense than the higher frequency one; for the complementary signal the amplitude relationship is reversed. When the lower component is more intense, the pitch of the complex is slightly lower than the pitch for the signal with a stronger higher component. Pitch matches to these complementary signals reveal asymmetries that are not evident in the calculation of the short‐term frequency fluctuations of each signal. This study was designed to determine the masking patterns for complementary two‐component complex tones using a simultaneous masking procedure similar to Ronken's [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 54, 905–915 (1973)]. Each two‐component signal was used as a masker, in turn. The brief (10‐ms) probe was fixed in level and occurred at selected times throughout the course of the 300‐ms masker. The adaptive procedure of Levitt [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 49, 467–477 (1971)] was used to adjust the probe frequency. Masker complexes were centered at 1000 Hz, and ΔF ranged from 5 to 100 Hz. All subjects tested had normal hearing and were well practiced in the task. Results should help to determine whether asymmetric excitation patterns contribute to the asymmetric pitch matches to symmetrically spaced complex signals. [Research supported by grants from NINCDS.]
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Interaction of simultaneous and forward masking (A)

W. Jesteadt and S. Wilke

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Volume 71, Issue S1, pp. S72-S72 (1982); (1 page)

Online Publication Date: 12 Aug 2005

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When forward‐masking tuning curves are obtained in the presence of a continuous background noise [Green et al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 69, 1758–1762 (1981)], the sinusoidal forward masker and the signal are both partially masked by the noise. We have explored the interaction of forward and simultaneous maskers using 1000‐Hz sinusoids as forward maskers and as probes, with broadband noise (low‐pass filtered at 5000 Hz) as a simultaneous masker. Masked threshold for the probe was determined for various combinations of simultaneous noise maskers (N0 = 0, 10, 20, 30 dB SPL) and sinusoidal forward maskers (30–80 dB SPL). When the noise was present during both the forward masker and the probe, masked threshold increased as a function of both the forward and the simultaneous masker levels over a 30‐dB range. The data were very similar when the noise was present only during the probe. The noise had little effect when it was present only during the forward masker. Even when sinusoidal forward maskers are at high levels, background noise plays a role in determining the probe thresholds. The nonadditive effect of the noise cannot be attributed to restriction of off‐frequency listening. [Work supported by NIH and NSF.]
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Transitivity of forward masking (A)

Donna L. Neff and Daniel L. Weber

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Volume 71, Issue S1, pp. S72-S73 (1982); (2 pages)

Online Publication Date: 12 Aug 2005

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For three temporally distinct stimuli, A, B, and C, if A masks B, and B masks C, does A mask C? We measured forward‐masked threshold for a 1O‐ms, 1000‐Hz sinusoid, C, as a function of the level of a 20‐ms masker, B, for six different masker frequencies (700, 850, 950, 1000, 1100, and 1200 Hz). From these growth of masking functions, we identified levels of the B stimuli which produced a given amount of masking. We then measured the level of a 290‐ms stimulus, A, required to mask a B stimulus of the same frequency. In addition, we tested A stimuli at the above five frequencies for B at 1000 Hz. This yielded levels of A and B such that A masked B and (independently) B masked C. When this procedure was followed for low levels of C (roughly 8 dB SL), the majority of the cases we tested essentially showed “transitivity” (i.e., A just masked C). The relative effectiveness of the A and B maskers remained constant regardless of the A frequency, for B at 1 kHz, as well as for A and B of the same frequency. We believe that transitivity can be interpreted by analogy to behavior of auditory‐nerve fibers. [Research supported by NSF and NIH.]
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Frequency effects in backward masking (A)

Thomas G. Dolan and Arnold M. Small, Jr.

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Volume 71, Issue S1, pp. S73-S73 (1982); (1 page) | Cited 3 times

Online Publication Date: 12 Aug 2005

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Frequency effects in auditory backward masking were examined by psychophysically determining the thresholds of 0.5, 1, 3, 5, and 7 kHz tone burst probes followed at different delay times by a noise burst masker. It was found that for each probe frequency condition, the amount of backward masking (defined as the shift in probe threshold due to the presence of the masker) as a function of the time interval between the probe and masker (Δt) could be approximated reasonably well by a simple decaying exponential function. The rate of decay of the masking effect as a function of Δt was found to increase with increasing probe frequency. This latter result qualitatively supports Duifhuis's [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 54, 1471–1488 (1973)] theory which attributes short term backward masking to the temporal overlap of cochlear responses to the probe and masker.
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Psychophysical measures of two‐tone unmasking and distortion products f2 − f1 and 2f1 − f2 (A)

Larry E. Humes

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Volume 71, Issue S1, pp. S73-S73 (1982); (1 page)

Online Publication Date: 12 Aug 2005

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Measures of two‐tone unmasking and the levels of the f2 − f1 and 2f1 − f2 difference tones were obtained for identical stimulus conditions from four normal‐hearing young adults using a forward‐masking paradigm (where f1 and f2 represent the input frequencies with f2 > f1). Data were obtained for f1 values of 750, 1500, and 3000 Hz while f2/f1 values investigated were 1.1 1, 1.26, and 1.41. Values of L1 and L2 (the levels of the tones at f1 and f2, respectively) were selected such that L2 was fixed at either 40, 55, 70, or 85 dB SPL while L2 varied over a 30–40‐dB range around L1 (e.g., L1 − 20 dB to L1 + 20 dB). These data provide a basis for examining the relationship between these three psychophysical measures of nonlinearity when using identical stimulus conditions and obtaining all data from the same ears. [Work supported by NSF.]
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An auditory discrimination test battery (A)

C. S. Watson, D. M. Johnson, J. R. Lehman, W. J. Kelly, and J. K. Jensen

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Volume 71, Issue S1, pp. S73-S73 (1982); (1 page)

Online Publication Date: 12 Aug 2005

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A battery of eight auditory discrimination tests was designed to measure the primary dimension along which simple and complex sounds can be discriminated. Six of the tests, selected on the basis of data collected in an earlier 22‐subtest version of the battery [D. M. Johnson, J. K. Jensen, and C. S. Watson, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Suppl. 1 67, S52 (1980)], use tonal stimuli: tests of frequency, intensity, and duration discrimination, using single tones, and tests of rhythm, temporal order, and tonal‐pattern discrimination using multitone sequences. Two additional tests employ speech sounds: a syllable order discrimination test and a modification of one portion‐ of a nonsense syllable identification test [J. R. Dubno and H. Levitt, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 69, 249–261 (1981)]. The tape‐recorded tests were designed to be administered to groups of listeners in a free field, moderately low‐reverberation environment. with responses recorded on printed forms. Seventy‐two modified 2AFC trials, distributed among eight stimulus values, are presented in each of the discrimination tests. Performance of groups of listeners given successive versions of the test battery show it to be a reliable screening instrument for the measurement of auditory discrimination abilities. [Work supported by NIH/NINCDS.]
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Performance of 146 normal adult listeners on a battery of auditory discrimination tests (A)

C. S. Watson, J. K. Jensen, D. C. Foyle, M. R. Leek, and D. E. Goldgar

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Volume 71, Issue S1, pp. S73-S73 (1982); (1 page)

Online Publication Date: 12 Aug 2005

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Two groups of young adult listeners were tested on the Boys Town Auditory Discrimination Test Battery. Performance on each of the tests was used to estimate group threshold values for listeners ranked in deciles. Relying on a weak assumption about the form of the underlying psychometric functions, these averaged data allow the estimation of threshold values for individual listeners on each of the tests, despite the small number of trials and the irregular form of the observed data for individual listeners. This method of estimating thresholds compares favorably with other estimation methods. Intercorrelations between the various tests, and several factor‐analytic efforts, suggest a moderately strong general auditory discrimination ability, with several weak subsidiary factors possibly contributing to discrimination performance. No strong relations were observed between test performance and self‐reported listeners' characteristics, including sex, age, academic skills, reading, musicianship, or history of auditory disease. A few individuals were found to have patterns of weaknesses on some tests and strengths on others. [Work supported by NIH/NINCDS.]
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The relations among critical bands, critical ratios, and intensity difference limens in man (A)

Robert S. Schlauch, Craig C. Wier, and Susan J. Norton

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Volume 71, Issue S1, pp. S73-S73 (1982); (1 page)

Online Publication Date: 12 Aug 2005

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Band‐narrowing estimates of the critical bandwidth (CB) are consistently larger than critical‐ratio (CR) estimates for the same signal frequency. Bilger [in Hearing and Davis: Essays Honoring Hallowell Davis, edited by S. K. Hirsh et al. (Washington U. P., St. Louis, 1976), p. 191] hypothesized that this difference can be accounted for by reference to intensity‐discrimination performance (CF[Hz]/CB[Hz] = ΔI/I). To test this hypothesis, band‐narrowing, critical‐ratio, and intensity‐discrimination data were collected from four subjects. Signal frequency was 2000 Hz and two noise spectrum levels were used: 20 and 50 dB. The psychophysical procedure was an adaptive, two‐interval, forced‐choice, converging on 70.7% correct. Based on critical‐bandwidth estimates obtained from the band‐narrowing experiments using common two‐line regression techniques, critical‐ratio estimates for pure‐tone detection in broadband noise, and intensity‐discrimination for critical bands of noise, the results across experimental conditions for individual subjects are not well described by Bilger's equation. [Work supported by NIH and the Deafness Research Foundation.]
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Relationship between excitation patterns, loudness, and the auditory filter (A)

Bernard J. O'Loughlin and Brian C. J. Moore

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Volume 71, Issue S1, pp. S73-S74 (1982); (2 pages)

Online Publication Date: 12 Aug 2005

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In Zwicker and Scharf's model of loudness summation [Psych. Rev. 72, 3–26 (1965)], excitation patterns and critical bands are treated as separate elements. A more common recent view is that excitation patterns and critical bands (as “auditory filters”) are alternative ways of conceiving the filtering occurring in the peripheral auditory system. If the form typically associated with the auditory filter [e.g., R. D. Patterson. J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 59. 640–654 (1976)] were found to be predictable from a simple excitation‐pattern model, the latter position would receive support. Two loudness‐matching experiments are reported. The first was similar in design to those often used for determining the form of the filter. A 10‐ms, 2‐kHz sinusoid (of 45, 60, or 75 dB SPL) was simultaneously presented with a 500‐ms broadband noise which was 3 dB below masked‐threshold level. A notch, centered on 2 kHz, was introduced into the noise, and the loudness of the sinusoid matched by another 10‐ms, 2‐kHz sinusoid (using a tracking method) as the notch width varied. It was predicted, using schematic excitation patterns, that the form of the growth of loudness with increasing notch width would be that characteristically associated with the auditory filter (although inverted). In the second experiment, the loudness of three sinusoids of the same levels was measured as the level of the broadband noise (with no notch) was decreased from the masked‐threshold level. Data were also collected in both paradigms for a forward‐masked sinusoid of 45 dB SPL. The results of both experiments were well predicted by the excitation‐pattern model, especially when lateral suppression was taken into account, and suggest that (a) the form of the auditory filter is dependent on the interaction of excitation patterns, and (b) loudness may be simply related to the area under the excitation pattern in dB/log‐frequency coordinates.
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Auditory adaptation: Some agreement between loudness effects (A)

Ernest M. Weiler, David Sandman, Thomas Goldman, and James M. Davis

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Volume 71, Issue S1, pp. S74-S74 (1982); (1 page)

Online Publication Date: 12 Aug 2005

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We have not yet found significant intercorrelations between binaural balances, monaural balances, monaural reaction time, and magnitude estimates of loudness adaptation. Despite this, the intracorrelations for each method have been significant and moderately high. Furthermore, for group averages, the characteristics of adaptation measured by the different techniques share similarities such as the progressive decline of loudness over time, even though individuals are not consistent across methods. Recently, using the modified method of magnitude estimates with short intensity increments, we found effects on loudness estimates consistent with the models proposed for binaural balances by Weiler, Loeb, and Alluisi (1972) and Hood and Weiler (1977). Noting that magnitude judgments of loudness should occur at the highest level of the auditory system, perhaps simple magnitude estimates as evolved by Scharf's group include more of the complexities of auditory function than reaction time or balance measures.
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Relations between auditory functions for tones and speech in impaired bearing (A)

R. Plomp, J. M. Festen, and W. A. Dreschler

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Volume 71, Issue S1, pp. S74-S74 (1982); (1 page)

Online Publication Date: 12 Aug 2005

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For two groups of hearing‐impaired subjects the correlations between the individual data for different batteries of tests were investigated. The first study (22 subjects) was particularly focused on frequency resolution and temporal resolution at 1000 Hz. In the second study (25 subjects) a wide variety of tests were used, including tests filling the gap between tones and speech. One of the main results is that frequency resolution is closely related to the speech‐reception threshold in noise. Further results will be discussed.
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The use of construct validity to establish predictive relationships between hearing aid performance and speech understanding (A)

Joseph Smaldino

J. Acoust. Soc. Am. Volume 71, Issue S1, pp. S74-S74 (1982); (1 page)

Online Publication Date: 12 Aug 2005

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Factor analyses were used to group 42 hearing aid electroacoustic dimensions. The resultant groups included harmonic distortion, gain, saturation sound pressure level, bandwidth, and regularity of frequency response. Representatives of these groups were entered into multiple regression analyses with listener scores obtained on a continuum of psychoacoustic materials. Results indicated that psychoacoustic scores are influenced by a hierarchy of electroacoustic dimensions and that the hierarchy may be quite different for different materials. This information can be used in a battery approach which produces a constructed validity for establishing prediction between hearing aid performance and speech understanding.
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