Phase differences among wavelets reduce the total difference-tone amplitude

Evidence

Because five tones produce the same masking as a narrow-band noise, but one single tone produces a much steeper masking slope, it may be possible to find the reason for this difference using the five-tone complex. Using a special procedure, which is explained in detail in Chap. 14, the level of the difference tones produced by the five-tone complex can be estimated. The difference tones of odd order play the most important role. — Professor Dr.-Ing. Hugo Fastl, Professor Dr.-Ing. Eberhard, Psychoacoustics- Facts and Models, 459 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Cubic difference tones form from summed wavelets traveling to a characteristic place; Wavelets from different cochlear regions can nearly cancel each other out; Detection of tone pips varies with tACS phase lag (+3 more)

Related

• Odd-order difference tones explain why single tones mask differently than noise (similarity 0.89)
• Nonlinear cochlear mechanics make listeners perceive nonexistent difference tones (similarity 0.86)
• Cubic difference tones form from summed wavelets traveling to a characteristic place (similarity 0.83)
• Five tones replicate narrow-band noise masking while single tones distort it (similarity 0.80)
• Phase changes become audible in three-tone complexes (similarity 0.79)
• Noise-induced hearing loss can unmask audible difference tones (similarity 0.78)
• Difference noise generated by ear nonlinearities can be heard before the test tone itself (similarity 0.78)
• Noise-induced high-frequency threshold shifts can make previously inaudible difference tones audible (similarity 0.78)
• Only some combination tones are readily perceived, and none by all listeners. (similarity 0.78)
• Hearing’s own nonlinearity produces audible difference tones even in distortion-free equipment (similarity 0.78)
• The ear cannot sense a tone’s absolute phase but does sense phase differences. (similarity 0.78)

Broader Connections

• Wavelets from different cochlear regions can nearly cancel each other out #expands (0.95)
• Odd-order difference tones explain why single tones mask differently than noise #expands (0.80) — Professor Dr.-Ing. Hugo Fastl, Professor Dr.-Ing. Eberhard, Psychoacoustics- Facts and Models, 459
• Detection of tone pips varies with tACS phase lag #complicates (0.75)
• An all-pass filter alters phase and timing but not amplitude #complicates (0.72)