A new perspective on binaural integration using response time methodology: super capacity revealed in conditions of binaural masking release

Abstract

This study applied reaction-time based methods to assess the workload capacity of binaural integration by comparing reaction time (RT) distributions for monaural and binaural tone-in-noise detection tasks. In the diotic contexts, an identical tone + noise stimulus was presented to each ear. In the dichotic contexts, an identical noise was presented to each ear, but the tone was presented to one of the ears 180° out of phase with respect to the other ear. Accuracy-based measurements have demonstrated a much lower signal detection threshold for the dichotic vs. the diotic conditions, but accuracy-based techniques do not allow for assessment of system dynamics or resource allocation across time. Further, RTs allow comparisons between these conditions at the same signal-to-noise ratio. Here, we apply a reaction-time based capacity coefficient, which provides an index of workload efficiency and quantifies the resource allocations for single ear vs. two ear presentations. We demonstrate that the release from masking generated by the addition of an identical stimulus to one ear is limited-to-unlimited capacity (efficiency typically less than 1), consistent with less gain than would be expected by probability summation. However, the dichotic presentation leads to a significant increase in workload capacity (increased efficiency)—most specifically at lower signal-to-noise ratios. These experimental results provide further evidence that configural processing plays a critical role in binaural masking release, and that these mechanisms may operate more strongly when the signal stimulus is difficult to detect, albeit still with nearly 100% accuracy.

Dissociating parallel and serial processing of numerical value

“…Because ensemble coding allows observers to generate an efficient representation of a set by extracting information from multiple items in parallel, larger sets may provide more information on which to base the average and thus improve the efficiency of ensemble perception. Our finding is in line with the suggestion by Alvarez (2011) that displays with more items result in a higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and reports that auditory stimuli with higher SNR are associated with faster RTs (Lentz, He, & Townsend, 2014).…”

Simple reaction time to the onset of time-varying sounds

“…Finally, loudness is increased by binaural summation. Numerous studies have shown that RT to the onset of a tone presented to both ears is slightly shorter than to a tone presented to one ear only (Chocholle, 1944;Lentz et al, 2014;Schröter et al, 2007;Simon, 1967) and that the level difference needed to obtain equal RT comes close to the one required for equal loudness (Schlittenlacher et al, 2014).…”

The Effect of Binaural Beat Audio on Operative Pain and Anxiety in Cataract Surgery under Topical Anaesthesia: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Binaural beats are an auditory processing artefact created by the interference between two similar frequencies of sound presented to each ear via earphones [ 22 , 23 ]. Disparate audible tones of up to 1000 hertz (Hz) frequency, differing by less than approximately 30 Hz, are processed by the brain via binaural integration, allowing perception of a third, subliminal tone [ 24 , 25 ]. The frequency of this illusory tone is equal to the mean frequency of the two stimuli, while its amplitude fluctuates with a frequency amounting to the difference between the stimuli [ 26 ].…”