Effect of Background Noise on the Auditory Intensive Difference Limen

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Abstract
The effect of random background noise on the intensive difference limen (DL) for pure tones was studied at 3 frequencies (250, 1000, and 4000 cps), 3 sensation levels (20, 40, and 60 db), and signal-to-noise ratios of -15, -10, 0, and 10 db for each condition. Only the signal-to-noise ratio significantly affects the DL. Repetition of the experiment, with the psychophysical method of average error, for a 1000-cps signal at levels of 10, 30, 50, and 70 db, and signal-to-noise ratios of -10, 0, 10, and 20 db, resulted in a lack of systematic shift of the difference limen. The curve relating the difference limen obtained b y modulation to signal-to-noise ratio appears to parallel that found in quiet when the difference limen is plotted against sensation level. Some hypotheses relating to the differences of psychophysical procedure are stated.

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