Suppression and the upward spread of masking

摘要: The purpose of this study is to clarify the role suppression in growth masking when a signal well above masker frequency (upward spread masking). Classical psychophysical models assume that primarily due excitation, and nonlinear upward reflects differential excitation between at frequency. In contrast, recent physiological studies have indicated auditory nerve increasing effect with level. This compares thresholds for signals 2.4 5.6 kHz simultaneous nonsimultaneous conditions which either or below Maximum differences were small (<6 dB) on-frequency but larger off-frequency (15–32 dB). results suggest plays major determining high levels, consistent conclusions studies. However, levels higher than about 40 dB SPL, even nonsimultaneous-masking conditions, where not expected. an explanation based on compressive response basilar membrane, confirms necessary masking.