Abstract
A psychophysical tuning curve (PTC) is usually measured by determining the level of a narrowband noise required to mask a fixed low level tone, for several masker center frequencies. PTCs could be useful clinically for assessing frequency selectivity and for the diagnosis of dead regions in the cochlea. When the signal frequency falls in a dead region, the tip of the PTC is shifted away from the signal frequency. However, PTCs determined in the traditional way are too time consuming for use in clinical practice. A fast method for determining PTCs is being developed and evaluated. This uses a band of noise that sweeps in center frequency. A Bekesy method is used to track the masker level required for threshold. For normally hearing subjects, the new method gives stable results, and PTCs similar in shape to those determined in the traditional way, when the masker sweeps over a 2-octave range in about 4 minutes, and the level changes by 1–2 dB/s. Preliminary results using hearing-impaired subjects also show a good agreement with the traditional method. However, further work is required to determine optimum values for the noise bandwidth and rate of change of frequency and level.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
