The role of time and place cues in the detection of frequency modulation by hearing-impaired listeners

Abstract

Frequency modulation detection limens (FMDLs) were measured for five hearing-impaired (HI) subjects for carrier frequencies f(c) = 1000, 4000, and 6000 Hz, using modulation frequencies f(m) = 2 and 10 Hz and levels of 20 dB sensation level and 90 dB SPL. FMDLs were smaller for f(m) = 10 than for f(m) = 2 Hz for the two higher f(c), but not for f(c) = 1000 Hz. FMDLs were also determined with additional random amplitude modulation (AM), to disrupt excitation-pattern cues. The disruptive effect was larger for f(m) = 10 than for f(m) = 2 Hz. The smallest disruption occurred for f(m) = 2 Hz and f(c) = 1000 Hz. AM detection thresholds for normal-hearing and HI subjects were measured for the same f(c) and f(m) values. Performance was better for the HI subjects for both f(m). AM detection was much better for f(m) = 10 than for f(m) = 2 Hz. Additional tests showed that most HI subjects could discriminate temporal fine structure (TFS) at 800 Hz. The results are consistent with the idea that, for f(m) = 2 Hz and f(c) = 1000 Hz, frequency modulation (FM) detection was partly based on the use of TFS information. For higher carrier frequencies and for all carrier frequencies with f(m) = 10 Hz, FM detection was probably based on place cues.