The Role of Temporal Fine Structure Processing in Pitch Perception, Masking, and Speech Perception for Normal-Hearing and Hearing-Impaired People

Abstract

Complex broadband sounds are decomposed by the auditory filters into a series of relatively narrowband signals, each of which can be considered as a slowly varying envelope (E) superimposed on a more rapid temporal fine structure (TFS). Both E and TFS information are represented in the timing of neural discharges, although TFS information as defined here depends on phase locking to individual cycles of the stimulus waveform. This paper reviews the role played by TFS in masking, pitch perception, and speech perception and concludes that cues derived from TFS play an important role for all three. TFS may be especially important for the ability to "listen in the dips" of fluctuating background sounds when detecting nonspeech and speech signals. Evidence is reviewed suggesting that cochlear hearing loss reduces the ability to use TFS cues. The perceptual consequences of this, and reasons why it may happen, are discussed.

Rethinking Sound : Computer-assisted reading intervention with a phonics approach for deaf and hard of hearing children using cochlear implants or hearing aids

“…A CI delivers auditory stimulation but it does not restore the auditory perception to a normal level. Additionally, it does not deliver the entire speech spectrum in terms of the same fine acoustic-phonetic details or the rich spectral and temporal resolution as in acoustical hearing (Moore, 2008;Nittrouer, Caldwell, Lowenstein et al, 2012). Consequently, certain aspects of the speech signal are more difficult to incorporate in the child's language, for example consonant clusters and fragments with weaker amplitude.…”

Implantes cocleares: aspectos tecnológicos e papel socioeconômico

“…As envoltórias das bandas de frequência do sinal de áudio contêm as componentes mais significativas para o reconhecimento da fala (Moore, 2008), e são, geralmente, suficientes para inteligibilidade na ausência de ruído (Xu e Pfingst, 2008). Variações mais rápidas compõem a estrutura temporal fina (Temporal Fine Structure -TFS), importante para discriminação de tons e reconhecimento da fala na presença de ruído (Moore, 2008).…”

“…Variações mais rápidas compõem a estrutura temporal fina (Temporal Fine Structure -TFS), importante para discriminação de tons e reconhecimento da fala na presença de ruído (Moore, 2008).…”

Neural and Cognitive Effects of Hearing Loss on Speech Processing

“…The frequency-specificity of the cochlea decreases due to broadening of the auditory filters, reducing the (3) spectral and (4) temporal precision of sound encoding (Moore, 2003). In combination, the lowered spectral and temporal precision cause a reduced sensitivity towards the rapid oscillations within auditory signals, i.e., the temporal-fine structure (Lorenzi et al, 2006;Moore, 2008). Encoding of the temporal-fine structure influence the ability to discriminate between frequencies, which is essential for identification and discrimination of speech signals (Moore, 2008).…”

“…In combination, the lowered spectral and temporal precision cause a reduced sensitivity towards the rapid oscillations within auditory signals, i.e., the temporal-fine structure (Lorenzi et al, 2006;Moore, 2008). Encoding of the temporal-fine structure influence the ability to discriminate between frequencies, which is essential for identification and discrimination of speech signals (Moore, 2008). The difference between the audiometric thresholds (circle and black line) and the uncomfortable loudness level (triangle and black line) constitutes the dynamic range.…”