Abstract:
Across-channel processing in auditory perception was studied in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) providing an animal model for vertebrate auditory processing in general and in humans provided with a cochlear implant. The amount of comodulation masking release (CMR), an effect that is attributed to both within- and across-channel processing, was determined. Comodulation masking release (CMR) is a mechanism that improves auditory signal detection in background noise. The release of masking occurs if the background noise shows correlated amplitude modulation in different frequency regions. In the natural environment we rarely find quiet conditions for acoustic communication. Acoustic signals like speech or communication sounds of animals will always be affected by masking background noise that impairs the detection of the signal. Therefore, the auditory system of humans and animals had to develop mechanisms to separate a useful and important signal from background noise. The talk will present behavioral data of psychoacoustical experiments on CMR in the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus), a popular animal model in auditory research, and in humans with cochlear implants.