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Results for “Pitch Perception”

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PubMed2000

A comparison of visual and auditory motion processing in human cerebral cortex.

Visual and auditory motion information can be used together to provide complementary information about the movement of objects. To investigate the neural substrates of such cross-modal integration, functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to assess brain activation while subjects performed separate visual and auditory motion discrimination tasks. Areas of unimodal activation included the primary and/or early sensory cortex for each modality plus additional sites extending toward parietal cortex. Areas conjointly activated by both tasks included lateral parietal cortex, lateral frontal cortex, anterior midline and anterior insular cortex. The parietal site encompassed distinct, but partially overlapping, zones of activation in or near the intraparietal sulcus (IPS). A subsequent task requiring an explicit cross-modal speed comparison revealed several foci of enhanced activity relative to the unimodal tasks. These included the IPS, anterior midline, and anterior insula but not frontal cortex. During the unimodal auditory motion task, portions of the dorsal visual motion system showed signals depressed below resting baseline. Thus, interactions between the two systems involved either enhancement or suppression depending on the stimuli present and the nature of the perceptual task. Together, these results identify human cortical regions involved in polysensory integration and the attentional selection of cross-modal motion information.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The relationship of continuous (C) and interrupted (I) tones at threshold and most comfortable loudness (MCL) in hearing-impaired ears.

Differences in the Bekesy tracking levels of continuous (C) and interrupted (I) tones at both threshold and most comfortable loudness (MCL) were determined in a large clinical sample of persons with hearing loss. Results indicate small but significant C-I differences not only at the two levels separately but also in the tracking of C and I tones at threshold relative to MCL, regardless of frequency or hearing loss severity. Such results may have implications for both diagnostic and rehabilitative audiology.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Statistical learning within and between modalities: pitting abstract against stimulus-specific representations.

When learners encode sequential patterns and generalize their knowledge to novel instances, are they relying on abstract or stimulus-specific representations? Research on artificial grammar learning (AGL) has shown transfer of learning from one stimulus set to another, and such findings have encouraged the view that statistical learning is mediated by abstract representations that are independent of the sense modality or perceptual features of the stimuli. Using a novel modification of the standard AGL paradigm, we obtained data to the contrary. These experiments pitted abstract processing against stimulus-specific learning. The findings show that statistical learning results in knowledge that is stimulus-specific rather than abstract. They show furthermore that learning can proceed in parallel for multiple input streams along separate perceptual dimensions or sense modalities. We conclude that learning sequential structure and generalizing to novel stimuli inherently involve learning mechanisms that are closely tied to the perceptual characteristics of the input.

Association Learning↗
PubMed1983

An analysis of psychophysical tuning curves in normal and pathological ears.

Simultaneous psychophysical tuning curves were obtained from normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners, using probe tones that were either at similar sound pressure levels or at similar sensation levels for the two types of listeners. Tuning curves from the hearing-impaired listeners were flat, erratic, broad, and/or inverted, depending upon the frequency region of the probe tone and the frequency characteristics of the hearing loss. Tuning curves from the normal-hearing listeners at low-SPL's were sharp as expected; tuning curves at high-SPL's were discontinuous. An analysis of high-SPL tuning curves suggests that tuning curves from normal-hearing listeners reflect low-pass filter characteristics instead of the sharp bandpass filter characteristics seen with low-SPL probe tones. Tuning curves from hearing-impaired listeners at high-SPL probe levels appear to reflect similar low-pass filter characteristics, but with much more gradual high-frequency slopes than in the normal ear. This appeared as abnormal downward spread of masking. Relatively good temporal resolution and broader tuning mechanisms were proposed to explain inverted tuning curves in the hearing-impaired listeners.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Intense sounds may alter the mechanical properties of the cochlear partition.

Morphological and structural changes have been observed in various cochlear elements following exposure to intense sounds. Whether these changes are sufficient to locally alter the mechanical properties of the cochlear partition is unknown. Here a psychophysical test for mechanical changes in the partition is developed and applied. Monaural exposures to an intense 1700-Hz tone were preceded and followed by a binaural task in which the subject adjusted the interaural time difference of a 250-Hz tone in order to perceive it as centered inside his head. If the local gradients of mass, stiffness, and/or coupling were altered by the exposure, then the post-exposure settings should contain a time lead toward one ear or the other, depending upon the direction of the mechanical changes. Following exposure to an intense tone, the maximum temporary threshold shift (TTS) is often displaced upward in frequency from the exposure stimulus--an effect widely known as the half-octave shift in TTS. Time leads toward the nonexposed ear in the post-exposure centering task would be in accord with a mechanical-change explanation of the half-octave shift. Settings in this direction were observed with the most intense and longest durations of exposure used, but with less intense or shorter exposures, the post-exposure settings were initially toward the exposed ear. Thus, the psychophysical evidence reported here supports the idea that exposure to intense sounds does produce temporary, local changes in cochlear mechanics, but it fails to provide a simple confirmation of the possibility that these mechanical changes underlie the half-octave shift in TTS.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Field studies: industrial exposures.

The databases and models for the prediction of noise-induced permanent threshold shift (NIPTS) from industrial noise exposures are reviewed. Models available in 1973, compared with later models and data, are shown still to be reasonable. The effect of hearing conservation procedures on the acquisition of new data is discussed. Because of the impact of hearing conservation, new research focus is recommended in three areas: sex differences, newly hired individuals exposed for the first time in occupational noise, and the contribution of nonoccupational noise through the use of questionnaires and dosimetry.

Auditory Fatigue↗
PubMed2005

Brain organization for music processing.

Research on how the brain processes music is emerging as a rich and stimulating area of investigation of perception, memory, emotion, and performance. Results emanating from both lesion studies and neuroimaging techniques are reviewed and integrated for each of these musical functions. We focus our attention on the common core of musical abilities shared by musicians and nonmusicians alike. Hence, the effect of musical training on brain plasticity is examined in a separate section, after a review of the available data regarding music playing and reading skills that are typically cultivated by musicians. Finally, we address a currently debated issue regarding the putative existence of music-specific neural networks. Unfortunately, due to scarcity of research on the macrostructure of music organization and on cultural differences, the musical material under focus is at the level of the musical phrase, as typically used in Western popular music.

Affect↗
PubMed1989

[Subjective noise perception and objective measurement of loudness following heart valve replacement with the St. Jude Medical and Duromedics Edwards bileaflet prostheses].

The performance of heart valve prostheses is generally judged by the rate of valve-related complications and the hemodynamic performance. Patients may be severely bothered by the metallic click generated by the closure of the valve. In 74 patients after valve replacement with Duromedics Edwards (DE) (n = 38) and St. Jude Medical (SJM) (n = 36) prostheses the sound energy was recorded and correlated to the complaints of the patients. At a distance of 10 cm the DE valves produced a significantly higher sound pressure with 47 +/- 7 db(A) compared to the SJM valves with 39.8 +/- 5 db(A) (p = 0.001). The noise level was also different for the valves in aortic or mitral position. After splitting into frequency bands the highest sound pressure was observed in the high frequency ranges (8 to 16 kHz) which represents the metallic click. 65% of patients were aware of the noise generated by the valve, 16% had sleep disturbances and 22% would prefer a more silent valve type. 12 of 38 patients with DE valves and 4 of 36 patients with SJM valves wished to have a less noisy valve type (Chi square p = 0.003). In annoyed patients the valves produced a higher sound amplitude of 49 +/- 8 db(A) as compared to undisturbed patients with 42 +/- 6 db(A) (p = 0.002). The noise level of mechanical heart valves should be considered before selection of a prosthesis, because the metallic click bothers patients and the complaints correlate with measured sound energy.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Responses of neurons of the parietal association cortex of the cat to acoustic stimulation before and after suppression of the auditory cortex in the cat].

The aim of this work was to study the influence of auditory cortex suppression in cat on response patterns of the parietal associative cortex neurons responding to different frequency tones. Suppression was performed by two methods: bilateral isolation and application of 6% nembutal solution on the cortex surface. Frequency-thresholds curves were plotted for all neurons studied. Prior to suppression the majority (84%) of studied neurons had one or two characteristic frequencies. After suppression the percentage of such cells fell to 63% of all responding neurons. Frequency range to which neurons could respond was altered as well. Normally almost all neurons tested could respond to a wide spectrum of presented frequencies. After suppression 69% of neurons did not respond to tones above 8-10 kHz. This may indicate that mainly information about high frequency tones is transmitted via the auditory cortex. The possibility that associative thalamic nuclei are the main source of acoustic information for parietal associative cortex neurons is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1995

[Comparison of methods for early detection of noise vulnerability of the inner ear. Amplitude reduction of otoacoustic emissions are most sensitive at submaximal noise impulse exposure].

Noise-induced temporary impairment of cochlear function was measured with several audiometric tests in order to evaluate which method best predicts a vulnerable cochlea. We tested 10 normally-hearing and 13 subjects who were positive for temporary threshold shifts (TTS). The latter were selected from 194 soldiers who demonstrated a TTS higher than 15 dB after regular training with firearms. Acoustic distortion products (DPOAE), click-evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE), upper limit of hearing (ULH) and pure-tone and high-frequency audiometry were used to evaluate possible increased vulnerability of the cochlea. Tests were conducted at lower sound intensities (white noise, 90 dB SPL, 5 min; impact noise, 100 or 106 dB SPLs, 10 impulses/s, 5 min). Seventy per cent of the TTS-positive soldiers studied exhibited significant reductions of TEOAE amplitudes, whereas a stable emission was observed in all control subjects. DPOAE alterations were seen in 38% of the soldiers tested. These results indicate that TEOAE is the most sensitive, objective method for detecting a positive disturbance in cochlear function. Although the upper limit of hearing was also a very sensitive method, variability of this psychoacoustic method depended on the help and experience of the subjects being tested.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Perceptual consequences of the interactions between spontaneous otoacoustic emissions and external tones. I. Monaural diplacusis and aftertones.

Research into monaural diplacusis has led to the concept of idiotones (tone-like stimuli of cochlea origin). Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs) are tone-like stimuli generated by the cochlea and detected in the ear canal. In diplacusis, the existence of idiotones is inferred from disturbances of the perception of single tones. Spontaneous otoacoustic emissions are measured by placing a small microphone at the entrance to the ear canal. Many of the puzzling properties of the hypothesized idiotones are consistent with measurements of the interaction of SOAEs with external tones. The interactions of the SOAEs with external tones were analyzed acoustically. The perceptual properties evoked by 250 ms pulses (presented twice a second) of the acoustic stimuli used in the OAE experiments were systematically investigated. At some stimulus levels, all subjects reported the perception of a second tone alternating with the external tone. The relative pitch of this percept was consistent with the frequency of the SOAE. The frequency dependence of the signal levels needed for the percept had many aspects in common with the suppression tuning curves of the SOAEs. At lower levels of the external tone the subjects sometimes reported a perception of two simultaneous tones. This would be consistent with the subject detecting SOAEs when they are frequency shifted, but not suppressed. The consumption of aspirin by one subject reduced the SOAE into the noise floor and eliminated the monaural diplacusis.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1981

Neuronal organization of the rabbit cochlear nucleus: some anatomical and electrophysiological observations.

The cochlear nucleus of the young adult rabbit was studied using both anatomical and electrophysiological techniques. The cytoarchitecture of the cochlear nucleus, as revealed by Nissl-staining and Bodian's Protargol method, was quite similar to that of the cat. The cell types observed by the Golgi-Cox method were very similar to those observed in the cat cochlear nucleus. Bushy and stellate cells were predominant in the anterior ventral cochlear nucleus, and multipolar and globular cells were observed throughout the posterior ventral cochlear nucleus, surrounding a region containing mainly octopus cells. The dorsal cochlear nucleus was revealed as a limited structure with a prominent band of fusiform cells. The polymorphic layers continued varieties of giant neurons similar to those observed in the cat. Units in the cochlear nucleus were classified electrophysiologically, in terms of their discharge pattern, and located histologically. The ventral cochlear nucleus contained mainly "primarylike," "chopper" and "onset" units, but the dorsal cochlear nucleus contained a greater variety of response patterns. "Buildup," "pauser" and "chopper" response patterns were predominant, and the dorsal cochlear nucleus also obtained more inhibitory units than the ventral cochlear nucleus. Both the types of units observed and their location in each nucleus were very similar to those reported for the cat. Both divisions of the ventral cochlear nucleus and the dorsal cochlear nucleus were found to be tonotopically organized in a dorsal (high frequency) to ventral (low frequency) direction. A trend for an organization in a medial to lateral direction was also apparent, particularly in the dorsal cochlear nucleus.

Animals↗
PubMed2007

Implications of deep electrode insertion on cochlear implant fitting.

Using long Med-El Combi40+ electrode arrays, it is now possible to cover the whole range of the cochlea, up to about two turns. Such insertion depths have received little attention. To evaluate the contribution of deeply inserted electrodes, five Med-El cochlear implant users were tested on vowel and consonant identification tests with fittings with first one, two, and up to five apical electrodes being deactivated. In addition, subjects performed pitch-ranking experiments, using loudness-balanced stimuli, to identify electrodes creating pitch confusions. Radiographs were taken to measure each electrode insertion depth. All subjects used each modified fitting for two periods of about 3 weeks. During the experiment, the same stimulation rate and frequency range were maintained across all the fittings used for each individual subject. After each trial period the subject had to perform three consonant and three vowel identification tests. All subjects showed deep electrode insertions ranging from 605 degrees to 720 degrees. The two subjects with the deepest electrode insertions showed significantly increased vowel- and consonant-identification performances with fittings with the two or three most apical electrodes deactivated compared to their standard fitting with all available electrodes activated. The other three subjects did not show significant improvements in performance when one or two of their most apical electrodes were deactivated. Four out of five subjects preferred to continue use of a fitting with one or more apical electrodes deactivated. The two subjects with the deepest insertions also showed pitch confusions between their most apical electrodes. Two possible reasons for these results are discussed. One is to reduce neural interactions related to electrodes producing pitch confusions. Another is to improve the alignment of the frequency components of sounds coded by the electrical signals delivered to each electrode to the overall pitch of the auditory perception produced by the electrical stimulation of auditory nerve fibers.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Electrophysiological study of the maturation of auditory responses from the inner ear of the chick.

Three electrophysiological functions of the chick basilar papilla were studied during development by recording the compound actin potential (AP) at the round window. The auditory thresholds showed a continuous maturation between the fifteenth day of incubation (E15) and the first post-hatching day (P1), when they attained adult values. Responses matured first to low frequencies and later to high frequency stimuli. The input-output (intensity-amplitude) functions matured regularly and never demonstrated the classical two slopes seen in mammals. The tuning properties, studied by tone-on-tone masking of the AP, achieved mature values before the thresholds; the Q10s reached adult values at E17 for a 500-Hz probe tone and at E19 for a 1000-Hz probe tone. The fact that a low-to-high frequency development trend was found with the embryonic middle ear cleared of fluids further suggests that this property of auditory ontogeny may be a function of changes in the transduction properties of the cochlea.

Aging↗
PubMed1985

The development of stimulus following in the cochlear nerve and inferior colliculus of the mouse.

The decrement of evoked response amplitudes during the presentation of repetitive clicks was examined quantitatively at the level of the eighth nerve and inferior colliculus in mice aged 13-60 days postnatal. The amplitudes of both these potentials were found to decline during the course of stimulation, this being much more severe at the onset of hearing than in adults. Furthermore the following response at the level of the cochlear nerve was adult-like by day 18, while the response at the level of the inferior colliculus continued to improve through day 24. Recordings in the inferior colliculus were consistently obtained in two different regions along the frequency axis. The regions that responded best to a lower range of frequencies (e.g. 3-9 kHz) showed a more rapid and severe decrement in the evoked response to repetitive stimulation than those regions responding best to a higher range of frequencies (e.g. 8-17 kHz). This was found to be the case for repetitive click stimuli and repetitive tone bursts. Single unit responses in the inferior colliculus were consistent with this differential decline as a function of stimulus rate seen along the frequency axis.

Age Factors↗