Thresholds for Linear Frequency Ramps of A Continuous Pure Tone

Sensitivity of the cortical pitch onset response to height, time-variance, and directionality of dynamic pitch

“…Some studies have demonstrated that listeners are more sensitive at detecting changes in rising compared to falling pitch [18,26]. In contrast, others have reported no perceptual asymmetries between rising and falling glides [3,8,19]. Still others have shown the opposite pattern where listeners achieve higher sensitivity for downward compared to upward sweeping pitch [12,26].…”

“…Indeed, previous electrophysiological studies demonstrate shorter N1 response latency for linear frequency sweeps of short compared to longer ramp durations [1]. Under this notion, dynamic, time-varying signals might require longer temporal integration windows [e.g.,16] as larger frequency changes would be required to reach a comparable output level of a putative "pitch integrator" [2,3]. Estimates from behavioral studies suggest that the auditory system requires at least ∼20 ms (a rate of change of 25 octave/sec) to identify the presence of frequency modulation [18].…”

Frequency modulation detection in cochlear implant subjects

“…Collins and Cullen ͑1978͒ reported an asymmetry in the detectability of upward and downward glides of short duration, with upward sweeps detected at lower signal intensities in the frequency ranges 200-700 Hz and 1200-1700 Hz. On the other hand, Tsumura et al ͑1973͒ andArlinger et al ͑1977͒ found no significant difference between upward and downward sweeps.…”

“…FM detection has been systematically studied in normalhearing listeners for frequency sweeps ͑Sergeant and Harris, 1962;Pollack, 1968;Nabelek and Hirsh, 1969;Tsumura et al, 1973;Arlinger et al, 1977;Tyler et al, 1983;Schouten, 1985;Dooley and Moore, 1988;Madden andFire, 1996͒ andsinusoidal FM ͑Hartmann andHnath, 1982;Demany and Semal, 1989;Moore and Glasberg, 1989;Edwards and Viemeister, 1994a,b;Sek and Moore, 1995;Moore and Sek, 1996͒. Generally, difference limens for frequency sweeps are positively proportional to the standard frequency and are relatively independent of the stimulation level.…”

Discrimination of second-formant-like frequency transitions

“…(3) There should be no discrimination differences between rising and falling transitions if both sweep through the same frequency extents. Much previous work supported this last hypothesis (e.g., Arlinger et al, 1977;Collins, 1984;Dooley & Moore, 1988, Experiment 2;Elliott, Hammer, Scholl, Carrell, & Wasowicz, 1989;Nabelek & Hirsh, 1969). However, some investigators have reported differences attributable to transition direction (e.g., Carlyon & Stubbs, 1989;Collins, Cullen, Porter, & Jackson, 1988).…”