Sound segregation based on temporal envelope structure and binaural cues

Abstract

The ability to segregate two spectrally and temporally overlapping signals based on differences in temporal envelope structure and binaural cues was investigated. Signals were a harmonic tone complex (HTC) with 20 Hz fundamental frequency and a bandpass noise (BPN). Both signals had interaural differences of the same absolute value, but with opposite signs to establish lateralization to different sides of the medial plane, such that their combination yielded two different spatial configurations. As an indication for segregation ability, threshold interaural time and level differences were measured for discrimination between these spatial configurations. Discrimination based on interaural level differences was good, although absolute thresholds depended on signal bandwidth and center frequency. Discrimination based on interaural time differences required the signals' temporal envelope structures to be sufficiently different. Long-term interaural cross-correlation patterns or long-term averaged patterns after equalization-cancellation of the combined signals did not provide information for the discrimination. The binaural system must, therefore, have been capable of processing changes in interaural time differences within the period of the harmonic tone complex, suggesting that monaural information from the temporal envelopes influences the use of binaural information in the perceptual organization of signal components.