Coincidence Detection and Absolute Threshold in the Auditory Brainstem

Abstract

In psychophysics, absolute threshold is explained using the concept of a “leaky integrator.” However, this is difficult to reconcile with our knowledge of the physiology of the auditory periphery. A computer model is used to explore the potential of coincidence detection neurons to emulate absolute threshold phenomena when two layers of coincidence detection neurons are used. This arrangement is able to distinguish acoustically driven auditory nerve action potentials from spontaneous activity and identify absolute threshold with a dependence of threshold on signal duration as found in psychophysics.