On the Psychophysics of Hearing

Abstract

I. The necessity for the control of the temporal factor in auditory expts. is demonstrated. The relation between differential sensitivity and exposure-time was determined at 3 levels of intensity for durations of 1-120 sec. (frequency=800 c.p.s.). Differential sensitivity to sound varies directly with exposure-time. A physiological explanation is advanced to account for this phenomenon.[long dash] II. The relationship between binaural differential sensitivity and exposure-time was detd. for 3 levels of intensity. Differential sensitivity (1/[DELTA]I) increases as a function of exposure-time. Moreover, differential sensitivity is greater for binaural than for monaural stimulation. Further support for a physiological theory of differential sensitivity is adduced from these results.