Simulated hearing loss via masking preserves temporal integration, unlike real loss

Evidence

The spectral splatter can be limited by using relatively large rise t.imes for the 1O-ms duration tones. Under such conditions, measurements can be performed with normally hearing subjects, where their thresholds are elevated by special spectrally shaped noise that reproduces the threshold of noise-induced hearing loss as a masked threshold. Under these conditions, mea.‘mrements of temporal integration have been performed for both categories of subjects. The comparison between the data indicates that the spectral splatter does not influence the measurements either for normally hearing subjects with masked threshold, nor for subjects with the equivalent noise-induced hearing 10::;::; measured in quiet. Temporal integration took place for the normally hearing subjects in the same way as for their thresholds in quiet, leading to the conclusion that, unlike the truly hearing-impaired, listener::; with impairment::; simulated by using masking noise show the same amount of temporal integration as they normally show in quiet. — Professor Dr.-Ing. Hugo Fastl, Professor Dr.-Ing. Eberhard, Psychoacoustics- Facts and Models, 1949

Categorization

• XREF: Distinguishing simulated from real hearing-impairment mechanisms parallels the chapter’s broader theme that masking noise reproduces threshold shifts but not all perceptual consequences of cochlear damage.