Perceptual learning in frequency discrimination

1985 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 1118-1120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laurent Demany
Keyword(s):  
Perceptual Learning ◽  
Frequency Discrimination

scholarly journals Training with an auditory perceptual learning game transfers to speech in competition

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esteban Sebastian Lelo de Larrea-Mancera ◽  
Mark Allen Phillipp ◽  
Trevor Stavropoulos ◽  
Audrey Anna Carrillo ◽  
Sierra Cheong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perceptual Learning ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Frequency Discrimination ◽  
Central Auditory Processing ◽  
Training Outcomes ◽  
Perceptual Skills ◽  
Learning Game ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Processing Abilities

Hearing speech in competition is a major complaint in those who suffer from hearing loss. Here we investigate a novel perceptual learning game that is designed to train perceptual skills thought to underlie speech in competition, such as spectral-temporal processing and sound localization, under conditions of quiet and in noise. Thirty young normal hearing participants were assigned either to this mixed-training condition or an active control consisting of frequency discrimination training within the same gamified setting. To assess training outcomes, we examine tests of basic central auditory processing, speech in competition, and cognitive processing abilities before and after training. Results suggest modest improvements on speech in competition tests in the mixed-training but not the frequency-discrimination control condition. This data show promise for future applications in populations with hearing difficulties.

Reorganization in Awake Rat Auditory Cortex by Local Microstimulation and Its Effect on Frequency-Discrimination Behavior

2001 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 1555-1572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjiv K. Talwar ◽  
George L. Gerstein
Keyword(s):  
Auditory Cortex ◽  
Frequency Response ◽  
Perceptual Learning ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Frequency Discrimination ◽  
Specific Stimulus ◽  
Response Characteristics ◽  
Awake Rat ◽  
Central Representation ◽  
Frequency Response Characteristics

In common with other sensory cortices, the mammalian primary auditory cortex (AI) demonstrates the capacity for large-scale reorganization following many experimental situations. For example, training animals in frequency-discrimination tasks has been shown to result in an increase in cortical frequency representation. Such central changes—most commonly, an increase in central representation of specific stimulus parameters—have been hypothesized to underlie the improvements in perceptual acuity (perceptual learning) seen in many learning situations. The actual behavioral relevance of central reorganizations, however, remains speculative. Here, we directly examine this issue. We first show that stimulating the AI cortex of the awake rat with a weak electric current (intracortical microstimulation or ICMS) has the effect of inducing central reorganizations similar to those accompanying the traditional plasticity experiments (a result previously noted only in anesthetized preparations). Depending on the site of AI stimulation, ICMS enlarged the cortical representation of certain frequencies. Next we examined the direct perceptual consequences of ICMS-induced AI reorganization for the rat's ability to discriminate frequencies. Over the course of the experiment, we also detailed, and made comparisons between, the frequency-response characteristics of rat AI cortex in the awake and ketamine-anesthetized animal. AI cells that responded to pure tones were divided into two categories—strongly and weakly responsive—based on the strength of their evoked discharge. Individual cells maintained their respective response strengths in both awake and anesthetized conditions. Strongly responsive cells showed at least four different temporal responses and tended to be narrowly tuned. Their responses were stable over the long term. In general frequency-response characteristics were qualitatively similar in the anesthetized and awake animal; bandwidths tended to be broader in awake animals. Although both strong and weak cell populations respond to tones, only the strongly responsive cells fit into a tonotopically organized scheme. By contrast, weakly responsive cells did not exhibit a frequency mapping and may represent a more diffuse input to AI than that underlying strongly responsive cells. In general, the overall frequency organization of AI was found to be equally well expressed in both the awake and anesthetized rat. ICMS reorganization of AI did not alter frequency-discrimination behavior in the rat—either signal detectability or response bias—suggesting that an increase in central representation, by itself, is insufficient to account for perceptual learning. It is likely that cortical reorganizations that accompany perceptual learning are strongly keyed to specific behavioral contexts.

scholarly journals Training with an auditory perceptual learning game transfers to speech in competition

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Sebastian Lelo de Larrea-Mancera ◽  
Mark A. Philipp ◽  
Trevor Stavropoulos ◽  
Audrey Anna Carrillo ◽  
Sierra Cheung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perceptual Learning ◽  
Cognitive Processing ◽  
Auditory Processing ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
Frequency Discrimination ◽  
Memory Training ◽  
Learning Game ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Processing Abilities ◽  
Hearing Difficulties

AbstractUnderstanding speech in the presence of acoustical competition is a major complaint of those with hearing difficulties. Here, a novel perceptual learning game was tested for its effectiveness in reducing difficulties with hearing speech in competition. The game was designed to train a mixture of auditory processing skills thought to underlie speech in competition, such as spectral-temporal processing, sound localization, and auditory working memory. Training on these skills occurred both in quiet and in competition with noise. Thirty college-aged participants without any known hearing difficulties were assigned either to this mixed-training condition or an active control consisting of frequency discrimination training within the same gamified setting. To assess training effectiveness, tests of speech in competition (primary outcome), as well as basic supra-threshold auditory processing and cognitive processing abilities (secondary outcomes) were administered before and after training. Results suggest modest improvements on speech in competition tests in the mixed-training compared to the frequency-discrimination control condition (Cohen’s d = 0.68). While the sample is small, and in normally hearing individuals, these data suggest promise of future study in populations with hearing difficulties.

scholarly journals Anesthesia Prevents Auditory Perceptual Learning

2009 ◽  
Vol 111 (5) ◽  
pp. 1010-1015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristoffer C. Aberg ◽  
Eric Albrecht ◽  
Elisa M. Tartaglia ◽  
Alain Farron ◽  
Patrice Soom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Anesthesia ◽  
Perceptual Learning ◽  
Bispectral Index ◽  
Elective Surgery ◽  
Frequency Discrimination ◽  
Auditory Stimulation ◽  
Pure Tones ◽  
American Society ◽  
Index Level ◽  
American Society Of Anesthesiologists

Background An auditory perceptual learning paradigm was used to investigate whether implicit memories are formed during general anesthesia. Methods Eighty-seven patients who had an American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status of I-III and were scheduled to undergo an elective surgery with general anesthesia were randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group received auditory stimulation during surgery, whereas the other did not. The auditory stimulation consisted of pure tones presented via headphones. The Bispectral Index level was maintained between 40 and 50 during surgery. To assess learning, patients performed an auditory frequency discrimination task after surgery, and comparisons were made between the groups. General anesthesia was induced with thiopental and maintained with a mixture of fentanyl and sevoflurane. Results There was no difference in the amount of learning between the two groups (mean +/- SD improvement: stimulated patients 9.2 +/- 11.3 Hz, controls 9.4 +/- 14.1 Hz). There was also no difference in initial thresholds (mean +/- SD initial thresholds: stimulated patients 31.1 +/- 33.4 Hz, controls 28.4 +/- 34.2 Hz). These results suggest that perceptual learning was not induced during anesthesia. No correlation between the bispectral index and the initial level of performance was found (Pearson r = -0.09, P = 0.59). Conclusion Perceptual learning was not induced by repetitive auditory stimulation during anesthesia. This result may indicate that perceptual learning requires top-down processing, which is suppressed by the anesthetic.

Specificity of perceptual learning in a frequency discrimination task

2000 ◽  
Vol 108 (6) ◽  
pp. 2964-2968 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dexter R. F. Irvine ◽  
Russell L. Martin ◽  
Ester Klimkeit ◽  
Rachel Smith
Keyword(s):  
Perceptual Learning ◽  
Discrimination Task ◽  
Frequency Discrimination
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