Frequency selectivity in normal-hearing listeners worsens at high sound levels

Evidence

On the other hand, however, Baer and Moore observed very large effects of reduced frequency selectivity for that same speech signal presented in noise. In this case, poor frequency selectivity of the impaired ear increases the susceptibility to masking by other sounds. The poor frequency selectivity of the impaired ear has also been linked to poor abilities to understand speech in noise for people with SNHL (e.g., Dubno, Dirks, & Morgan, 1984). Upward spread of masking can also be problematic, particularly in amplified situations. The low-frequency components of a noise may mask higher frequencies. Such upward spread of masking can also complicate fitting hearing aids for listeners with low-frequency hearing loss, as gain in the low frequencies can lead to upward spread of masking into regions of good hearing. — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 1698

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the hearing-aid fitting dilemma and upward spread of masking themes from earlier psychoacoustics chapters on masking. — connects to: Presbyacusis shows frequency-dependent recruitment strongest at high frequencies; Cochlear frequency selectivity decreases as sound level increases; Frequency selectivity is the auditory system’s ability to represent one frequency independently of another. — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 461 (+1 more)
• corroborated: 3 independent passages support this claim — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 1698