Overview of volume - Ruth Y. Litovsky and Matthew J. Goupell
1) Historical perspective on binaural hearing in humans with a focus on the theory of sound localization with interaural time differences (ITDs) and interaural level differences (ILDs). [AE: RYL]
Potential contributor(s): William Hartmann
This chapter will provide an historical perspective on studies in the area of binaural psychophysic
s, focusing on the approaches uses to measure sensitivity in humans, interpretation of findings in the context of binaural models, and current understanding of the relative importance of the primary binaural cues. Bill Hartmann is a known expert in this field with a deep understanding of the historical significance of both modeling and psychophysical studies.
2) Avian Anatomy & Physiology of the Binaural System [AE: RYL]
Potential contributor(s): Catherine Carr, Michael Burger
, and Jose Pena
This chapter will provide an overview of the historical and theoretical perspectives of binaural a
natomy and physiology in avian species, where much of the binaural circuitry and findings using modeling approaches have led the way over a number of decades. The chapter will help to introduce the volume's chapters in a manner that integrates their content.
3) Mammalian physiology in the binaural circuits (up to brainstem) [AE: RYL]
e="margin-left: .5in">Potential contributor(s): Philip Joris and Nace Golding
This chapter will focus on most recent work in neural circuits that are thought to be responsible for binaural sens
itivity. In the mammalian system there have been some critical studies showing that inhibitory circuits play an important role in determining how brainstem neurons mediate sensitivity to ITDs. The biophysics and cellular biology involved in this intricate work has led to the paradigm shifting and rethinking of the models that were proposed early on to account for binaural sensitivity. Philip Joris and Nace Golding have been steadily working on this problem for two decades and their work is at the forefront of the field.
n-left: .5in;text-indent: -.25in;mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1">4) Binaural hearing with complex signals; Modulations, Temporal Weighting, Temporal Fine Structure vs. Envelope cues [AE: MJG]
Potential contributor(s): Christopher Stecker and Andrew Brown
This chapter will provide an overview of how slow modulations affect ITD and ILD processing. Slow modulations restore ITD sensitivity at high frequencies, but only for relatively slow rates. This chapter will thus discuss frequency effects, how temporal fine structure and envelope are used at different frequency r
egions, and how there is an onset dominance for localization of sounds. The last point is related to the precedence effect. Chris Stecker and Andrew Brown are experts in the area of temporal weighting and the observer weighting paradigm, and will be able to broadly discuss all forms of temporal modulations on binaural processing. gin-left: 0.5in;"> 5)
Binaural hearing and across-channel processing. [AE: MJG]
Potential contributor(s): Virginia Best and Steve Colburn
="margin-left: .5in"> This chapter will also highlight frequency effects of binaural processing, but now highlighting how binaural cues combine across channels to form a single auditory location percept. The types of studies that will
About the Author:
Dr. Ruth Litovsky is a Professor of Communication Sciences & Disorders at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with a joint appointment in Surgery, Division of Otolaryngology.
Dr. Matthew Goupell is an Associate Professor of Hearing and Speech Sciences at the University of Maryland, with affiliate appointments in the Neuroscience and Cognitive Science program and in Physics.
Dr. Arthur N. Popper is Professor Emeritus and research professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Maryland, College Park.
Dr. Richard R. Fay is Distinguished Research Professor of Psychology at Loyola, Chicago.
