scholarly journals The effect of masker level uncertainty on intensity discrimination

2008 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 254-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Buss
Keyword(s):  
Intensity Discrimination ◽  
Masker Level

Auditory Training to Improve Speech Perception and Self-Efficacy in Aging Adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 63 (4) ◽  
pp. 1270-1281
Author(s):  
Leah Fostick ◽  
Riki Taitelbaum-Swead ◽  
Shulamith Kreitler ◽  
Shelly Zokraut ◽  
Miriam Billig
Keyword(s):  
Speech Perception ◽  
Self Efficacy ◽  
Temporal Order Judgment ◽  
Auditory Training ◽  
Intensity Discrimination ◽  
Training Design ◽  
Auditory Temporal Processing ◽  
Temporal Properties ◽  
Computer Based ◽  
Aging Adults

Purpose Difficulty in understanding spoken speech is a common complaint among aging adults, even when hearing impairment is absent. Correlational studies point to a relationship between age, auditory temporal processing (ATP), and speech perception but cannot demonstrate causality unlike training studies. In the current study, we test (a) the causal relationship between a spatial–temporal ATP task (temporal order judgment [TOJ]) and speech perception among aging adults using a training design and (b) whether improvement in aging adult speech perception is accompanied by improved self-efficacy. Method Eighty-two participants aged 60–83 years were randomly assigned to a group receiving (a) ATP training (TOJ) over 14 days, (b) non-ATP training (intensity discrimination) over 14 days, or (c) no training. Results The data showed that TOJ training elicited improvement in all speech perception tests, which was accompanied by increased self-efficacy. Neither improvement in speech perception nor self-efficacy was evident following non-ATP training or no training. Conclusions There was no generalization of the improvement resulting from TOJ training to intensity discrimination or generalization of improvement resulting from intensity discrimination training to speech perception. These findings imply that the effect of TOJ training on speech perception is specific and such improvement is not simply the product of generally improved auditory perception. It provides support for the idea that temporal properties of speech are indeed crucial for speech perception. Clinically, the findings suggest that aging adults can be trained to improve their speech perception, specifically through computer-based auditory training, and this may improve perceived self-efficacy.

scholarly journals High Ripple-Density Resolution for Discriminating Between Rippled and Nonrippled Signals: Effect of Temporal Processing or Combination Products?

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 233121652110101
Author(s):  
Dmitry I. Nechaev ◽  
Olga N. Milekhina ◽  
Marina S. Tomozova ◽  
Alexander Y. Supin
Keyword(s):  
Low Frequency ◽  
Noise Signal ◽  
Density Variation ◽  
Choice Procedure ◽  
Masker Level ◽  
Reference Signals ◽  
Forced Choice Procedure ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Density Resolution

The goal of the study was to investigate the role of combination products in the higher ripple-density resolution estimates obtained by discrimination between a spectrally rippled and a nonrippled noise signal than that obtained by discrimination between two rippled signals. To attain this goal, a noise band was used to mask the frequency band of expected low-frequency combination products. A three-alternative forced-choice procedure with adaptive ripple-density variation was used. The mean background (unmasked) ripple-density resolution was 9.8 ripples/oct for rippled reference signals and 21.8 ripples/oct for nonrippled reference signals. Low-frequency maskers reduced the ripple-density resolution. For masker levels from −10 to 10 dB re. signal, the ripple-density resolution for nonrippled reference signals was approximately twice as high as that for rippled reference signals. At a masker level as high as 20 dB re. signal, the ripple-density resolution decreased in both discrimination tasks. This result leads to the conclusion that low-frequency combination products are not responsible for the task-dependent difference in ripple-density resolution estimates.

scholarly journals Task-dependent effects of nicotine treatment on auditory performance in young-adult and elderly human nonsmokers

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuping Sun ◽  
Michelle R. Kapolowicz ◽  
Matthew Richardson ◽  
Raju Metherate ◽  
Fan-Gang Zeng
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Modulation ◽  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Frequency Discrimination ◽  
Normal Hearing ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Intensity Discrimination ◽  
Modulation Identification ◽  
Baseline Performance ◽  
Auditory Performance ◽  
Pre Treatment

AbstractElectrophysiological studies show that nicotine enhances neural responses to characteristic frequency stimuli. Previous behavioral studies partially corroborate these findings in young adults, showing that nicotine selectively enhances auditory processing in difficult listening conditions. The present work extended previous work to include both young and older adults and assessed the nicotine effect on sound frequency and intensity discrimination. Hypotheses were that nicotine improves auditory performance and that the degree of improvement is inversely proportional to baseline performance. Young (19–23 years old) normal-hearing nonsmokers and elderly (61–80) nonsmokers with normal hearing between 500 and 2000 Hz received nicotine gum (6 mg) or placebo gum in a single-blind, randomized crossover design. Participants performed three experiments (frequency discrimination, frequency modulation identification, and intensity discrimination) before and after treatment. The perceptual differences were analyzed between pre- and post-treatment, as well as between post-treatment nicotine and placebo conditions as a function of pre-treatment baseline performance. Compared to pre-treatment performance, nicotine significantly improved frequency discrimination. Compared to placebo, nicotine significantly improved performance for intensity discrimination, and the improvement was more pronounced in the elderly with lower baseline performance. Nicotine had no effect on frequency modulation identification. Nicotine effects are task-dependent, reflecting possible interplays of subjects, tasks and neural mechanisms.

scholarly journals FREQUENCY OF SEEING FUNCTIONS FOR INTENSITY DISCRIMINATION AT VARIOUS LEVELS OF ADAPTING INTENSITY

1951 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 463-474 ◽  
Author(s):  
Conrad G. Mueller
Keyword(s):  
Human Subject ◽  
Intensity Discrimination ◽  
Quantum Theories ◽  
Foveal Stimulation

1. The percentage of times a human subject detects an increment (ΔI) in intensity was determined as a function of the magnitude of the increment and the magnitude of the stimulus (I) to which the increment is added. 2. Foveal stimulation was used, and five frequency of seeing curves were obtained at each of nine values of adapting intensity covering the range from –1.45 to 4.45 log photons. Each frequency of seeing curve shows the percentage of times an increment in intensity is detected as a function of the logarithm of the increment. 3. The slope of the frequency of seeing curve increases slightly with an increase in I and finally becomes independent of I at medium to high intensities. 4. The implications of the results for quantum theories of visual excitation are considered.

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