Theory of Temporal Auditory Summation

Abstract

A theory of temporal auditory summation is developed and applied to the threshold of audibility for various temporal patterns of pulses and sinusoidal vibrations. The theory is based on the assumption of an exponential decay of neural excitation and, for the threshold of audibility, it includes only one time constant. Various factors that may affect temporal auditory summation are discussed. It is shown that the same theory applies to muscle contractions.

Some characteristics of tactile channels

“…5 is the predicted results from Zwislocki's [30] theory of temporal neural integration. In this model, the magnitude of the neural response increases over time of stimulation and when it exceeds threshold level, a detection response is made by the observer.…”

Towards a Unifying Basis of Auditory Thresholds: The Effects of Hearing Loss on Temporal Integration Reconsidered

“…Similarly, Florentine et al (1988) thoroughly tested and rejected the idea that the reduced slope may be due to the higher SPLs of the stimuli needed to reach absolute threshold in hearing-impaired listeners, and they concluded that it reflects reduced temporal integration per se. Saunders et al (1995), in following the idea that the integrator may be located centrally (e.g., Zwislocki 1960), have suggested that the neural integrator exhibits considerable plasticity since a normal slope of the temporal integration function can be restored in the chicken when damaged structures in the avian cochlea regenerate. However, there is no need to assume such plasticity if the integrator is located very peripherally, as suggested by us (Heil and Neubauer 2003).…”

“…This trading relationship, sometimes called temporal integration function, is frequently interpreted to indicate that the auditory system integrates sound over time. Until recently, the prevailing view has been that the sound quantity ultimately integrated by the auditory system is sound intensity and that consequently absolute thresholds are best defined in terms of acoustic energy density (Garner 1947;Feldtkeller and Oetinger 1956;Plomp and Bouman 1959;Zwislocki 1960 However, there has been no consensus as to where the integrator may be located nor as to how it may operate. For example, it is unclear whether an integration process in the literal or physical sense exists at all and whether it is a deterministic or rather a probabilistic process.…”

“…Such long time constants contrast with the short membrane time constants of neurons in the auditory periphery and are also difficult to reconcile with the high temporal resolution of the auditory system, creating the ''resolution-integration paradox '' (deBoer 1985). As a way out, some authors have conjectured that temporal resolution is mediated by peripheral processing and long-term temporal integration (of neural activity directly linked to stimulus intensity) is mediated by processing high up in the central auditory system (Zwislocki 1960;Watson and Gengel 1969;. Viemeister and Wakefield (1991) proposed that the system only acts as if it were a long-term integrator but instead is a short-term integrator (of intensity) that combines information from multiple, independent, brief samples during the stimulus (''multiple looks'').…”

Integration of Vibrotactile Signals for Whisker-Related Perception in Rats Is Governed by Short Time Constants: Comparison of Neurometric and Psychometric Detection Performance

“…Signal detection performance of human and animal observers benefits from repetitive activation at perceptual threshold in several sensory systems ["temporal summation"; audition: Heil and Neubauer (2003); Zwislocki (1960); touch : Gescheider et al (1999); Verrillo (1965)]. The neural processes underlying this phenomenon must involve some sort of temporal integration of incoming signals.…”