Uncertainty and confusion in temporal masking

Abstract

In a landmark study, Wright et al. [Nature 387, 176–178 (1997)] reported an apparent backward-masking deficit in language-impaired children. Subsequently, these controversial results have been influential in guiding treatments for childhood language problems. In this study we revisited Wright et al.’s temporal-masking paradigm to evaluate listener uncertainty effects. Masked detection was measured for 20-ms sinusoids (480, 1000, or 1680 Hz) presented at temporal positions before, during, or after a gated narrowband (W=600–1400 Hz) masker. Listener uncertainty was investigated by cueing various stimulus temporal properties with a 6000-Hz sinusoid presented either ipsi- or contra-lateral to the test ear or bilaterally. The primary cueing effect was measured in the backward-masking condition for a contralateral cue gated simultaneously with the on-frequency 1000-Hz signal. The resulting cued masked-detection threshold was reduced to quiet threshold. No significant cueing effects were obtained for other signal temporal positions in the masker nor for any off-frequency signal conditions. These results indicate that (1) uncertainty can be reduced or eliminated for on-frequency backward masking by cueing the signal and (2) the deficit reported by Wright et al. for language-impaired children may reflect uncertainty and confusion rather than a temporal-processing deficit per se. [Research supported by NIDCD.]