2026/07/01 by P.C. Corbett, Kelly L. Whiteford, Andrew J. Oxenham · 1 voice
Health Professions · Neuroscience · #Hearing Loss and Rehabilitation #Hearing, Cochlea, Tinnitus, Genetics #Noise Effects and Management
paper · pdf · doi:10.1121/10.0044323
openalex publication_date 2026/07/01 · openalex created_date 2026/07/02 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
This study measured detection of frequency modulation (FM) and frequency differences in alternating tones with spectrally resolved and unresolved harmonics for modulation rates between 2 and 20 Hz. The hypotheses were that FM detection involves (i) conversion to amplitude modulation through cochlear filtering and (ii) sampling instantaneous frequency at discrete times. Contrary to the first hypothesis, thresholds worsened with increasing modulation rate similarly for both resolved and unresolved harmonics. Thresholds for alternating tones were higher than for FM, particularly at faster modulation rates. Outcomes can be reconciled with existing theories if performance is limited by central, not peripheral, processes.