Comparisons of Binaural Processing at Low & High Frequencies

描述（由申请人提供）：拟议研究的目标仍然是评估，表征和比较双耳听觉系统如何处理耳间时间差异（ITDs），这是声音定位的主要线索。我们的研究项目直接来自于我们的发现，即使用特殊的“转置”高频刺激可以克服听众在高频通道中处理过渡段的典型能力差。转置的刺激不仅能提高过渡段的处理效率，而且当存在其他“干扰”或“干扰”低频信息时，它们似乎相对“免疫”于传统高频刺激所观察到的退化效应。拟议的研究方案旨在揭示和了解高频时间波形包络的哪些具体方面足以加强过渡段的处理，并对双耳“干扰”产生“阻力”。为了提供答案，我们建议采用多方面的，趋同的，并且我们相信，创新的方法，利用以下组合：1)许多复杂的基于计算机的技术，通过特定的度量来控制和量化高频刺激包络的时间特征；2)高度精确和可重复的阈值过渡段和基于过渡段的横向性行为测量；3)一种理论方法，根据外部刺激本身的变化，或根据听觉处理的外围和中心阶段处理的刺激的变化，对行为数据的模式产生具体的定量预测。拟议的研究与公共卫生的相关性包括更好地了解耳朵和大脑如何处理基于信封的信息所带来的潜在健康益处。我们的研究结果有望为其他人提供方向，告诉他们如何操纵高频波形包络的特定时间方面，通过人工耳蜗和/或数字助听器等假体设备更有效地传递单耳和双耳定时信息。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objectives of the proposed research continue to be an evaluation, characterization, and comparison of how the binaural auditory system processes interaural temporal disparities (ITDs), a major cue for the localization of sound. The program of research flows directly from our findings that the use of special "transposed" high-frequency stimuli can overcome the typically poor ability of listeners to process ITDs within high-frequency channels. Not only do transposed stimuli lead to more efficient ITD-processing, they also appear to be relatively "immune" to the degrading effects observed with conventional high-frequency stimuli, when other, "jamming" or "interfering," low-frequency information is present. The proposed program of research seeks to reveal and understand what specific aspects of the envelopes of high-frequency temporal waveforms are sufficient for the processing of ITDs to be enhanced and for "resistance" to binaural "interference" to occur. In order to provide answers, we propose to employ a multi-faceted, convergent, and, we believe, innovative approach that exploits the combination of 1) a number of sophisticated computer- based techniques for controlling and quantifying via specific metrics the temporal characteristics of the envelopes of high-frequency stimuli; 2) highly precise and repeatable behavioral measures of threshold-ITDs and ITD-based laterality; 3) a type of theoretical approach that yields specific quantitative predictions about the patterning of the behavioral data in terms of either variations in the external stimulus, per se, or in terms of variations in the stimuli as processed by both peripheral and central stages of auditory processing. The relevance of the proposed research to public health includes potential health benefits stemming from a better understanding of how the ear and brain process envelope-based information. The results of our investigations promise to provide direction to others about how they can manipulate specific temporal aspects of the envelopes of high-frequency waveforms to convey more efficiently monaural as well as binaural timing information via prosthetic devices such as cochlear implants and/or digital hearing aids..