The influence of masker on the hearing sensitivity to the dynamic changes in sound spectrum
depending on masker-to-signal intensity ratio
Nechaev D.I.1, Milekhina O.N.1, Supin A.Ya.1
1
Institute of Ecology and Evolution, RAS
The influence of noises of different configurations on sensitivity to dynamic changes in sound
spectrum was investigated. The narrow band signal with ripple spectrum was used as a test. The
central frequency of the test was 2 kHz and intensity was 50 dB or 80 dB SPL. One octave bandpass noise was used as a masker. Three masker frequencies were exploited: lower, on and higher
than the spectrum of the test signal. Intensity of masker varied from 30 to 100 dB SPL. The
largest masking effect was observed with the on-frequency masker independently of intensity of
the test signal. Masking was observed when the masker/test ratio was 0 dB or higher. Shift of
spectrum ripples could not be detected by listeners when the masker/test ratio was 10 dB or
higher. At the low-frequency masking, the ripple shift threshold was dependent on absolute level
of the masker. Ripple shift threshold appeared at the masker of 80 dB SPL, independently of the
test signal intensity (50 or 80 dB SPL). At the high-frequency masker effect was absent.
Key words:
HEARING, FREQUENCY RESOLUTION, RIPPLE SPECTRUM, MASKING