Learning to discriminate interaural time differences

Abstract

Three experiments were undertaken on learning to discriminate ‘ongoing’ ITD at low and high frequencies, the latter using amplitude-modulated tones.  In Experiment 1, ability improved substantially with training using high-frequency stimuli associated with fused or unfused percepts.  This was in apparent contrast with the findings of the previous study at low frequencies.  In Experiment 2, indirect evidence was found for differential learning with ITD discrimination at low and high frequencies through a comparison of inexperienced and experienced listeners using stimuli associated with comparable asymptotic performance.  However, this was not confirmed by Experiment 3 which measured the time-courses of learning directly.  This latter experiment also found that the time-courses were broadly comparable to those reported by the previous study with ILD.  Learning was also found to generalise across frequency, unlike the findings of the previous study with ILD.  A detailed examination of the data from the previous study indicated that their data on ITD was difficult to interpret and that the authors’ interpretation of different time-courses of learning between conditions may not be justified.  It is concluded that training influences discrimination of ITD and ILD in a broadly comparable manner.  Nonetheless, subtle, but potentially important, differences may exist.  Future research is required to explore further the specific conditions required for learning with localisation cues, differences in learning between cues and the implications of this learning for hearing-impaired populations.

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