Masking patterns for sinusoidal and narrow-band noise maskers

Abstract

The masking patterns produced by narrow-band maskers can show distinct irregularities. These experiments attempted to clarify the relative importance of factors contributing to these irregularities. A three-alternative adaptive forced-choice method with feedback was used, to promote use of the optimal detection cues. The masker and signal were either a sinusoid or a band of noise that was 80 Hz wide, giving four possible combinations of masker and signal type. In experiment 1, masking patterns were measured for maskers centered at 1 kHz, for all combinations of masker and signal type (tone or noise). The masking patterns showed irregularities (dips or "shoulders") above the masker frequency, and the irregularities were larger for the sinusoidal than for the noise masker. Experiment 2 was similar to experiment 1, except that low-pass noise was added to mask combination products. For the noise masker, the low-pass noise slightly increased thresholds, and largely eliminated the irregularities in the patterns, but for the tone masker, the irregularities persisted. Experiment 3 used a noise signal with tone and noise maskers centered at 250, 1000, and 4000 Hz. The tone masker produced less masking than the noise masker for masker-signal frequency separations of 150-250 Hz, regardless of masker frequency. Experiment 4 used an additional masker tone to introduce beats similar to those produced by the interaction of the signal and (main) masker, and to mask combination products. This largely eliminated the dips in the masking patterns for both the noise and tone maskers. Experiment 5 used an additional pair of high-frequency tones to introduce beats, with similar results. We conclude that temporal fluctuations (beats) have a strong influence on the masking patterns for sinusoidal maskers, for masker-signal frequency separations up to a few hundred Hz. Beats may also have some influence on the masking patterns for noise maskers. The detection of combination products also plays a role.