Resolving precise temporal processing properties of the auditory system using continuous stimuli

Edmund C. Lalor, Alan J. Power, Richard B. Reilly, John J. Foxe

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

142 Scopus citations

Abstract

In natural environments complex and continuous auditory stimulation is virtually ubiquitous. The human auditory system has evolved to efficiently process an infinitude of everyday sounds, which range from short, simple bursts of noise to signals with a much higher order of information such as speech. Investigation of temporal processing in this system using the eventrelated potential (ERP) technique has led to great advances in our knowledge. However, this method is restricted by the need to present simple, discrete, repeated stimuli to obtain a useful response. Alternatively the continuous auditory steady-state response is used, although this method reduces the evoked response to its fundamental frequency component at the expense of useful information on the timing of response transmission through the auditory system. In this report, we describe a method for eliciting a novel ERP, which circumvents these limitations, known as the AESPA (auditory-evoked spread spectrum analysis). This method uses rapid amplitude modulation of audio carrier signals to estimate the impulse response of the auditory system. We show AESPA responses with high signal-tonoise ratios obtained using two types of carrier wave: a 1-kHz tone and broadband noise. To characterize these responses, they are compared with auditory-evoked potentials elicited using standard techniques. A number of similarities and differences between the responses are noted and these are discussed in light of the differing stimulation and analysis methods used. Data are presented that demonstrate the generalizability of the AESPA method and a number of applications are proposed.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)349-359
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of neurophysiology
Volume102
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2009
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Physiology

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