Simulated nerve fiber activity in response to one‐ or two‐formant speech‐like sound

Abstract

Representations of speech‐like sounds in discharge patterns of auditory nerve fibers were studied by mean of a model. At a previous meeting we presented the model of the peripheral auditory system developed in our laboratory. The model was shown to reproduce the excitation patterns of single auditory nerve fibers in response to one‐tone, two‐tone, trapezoidal, or impulse stimuli. We present new results obtained in response to one‐and two‐formant stimuli. Time patterns of simulated fibers are studied with Fourier analysis to elicit the frequency components involved in each response. Special care is taken to fundamental frequency representation. The main conclusion is that fundamental frequency can be present in all units regardless of the tuning properties cf the fibers. All the results obtained are compared with available experimental data. [Work supported by A.D.I. convention No 80/379.]