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16 pages, 4938 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Delving into Hearing Threshold of the Delay Gap of Initial Reflection in a Room by Using the Response of Cortical Brainwaves

by Chiung-Yao Chen

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(21), 11856; https://doi.org/10.3390/app132111856 - 30 Oct 2023

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Abstract

In this study, the apparent variation ranges of acoustical parameters were investigated in a concert hall. The initial time delay gap (ITDG) was evaluated in terms of its just noticeable difference (JND) through two instruments, the cello and the trumpet. Even though the IDTG values were prolonged over the measurements and were not significantly varied, an ITDG range of 22–220 ms in increments of 91 steps was produced electro-acoustically in an anechoic chamber. The result of JNDc (Δgap/gap) was rated by 50% “different” judgement ranges for the cello and trumpet tracks, respectively. The effective duration of the autocorrection function (ACF) of the continuous brainwaves (CBWs) within the alpha (8–13 Hz) frequency range in the left hemisphere responding to 91-step ITDG increments revealed that the continuous ratios of τe_min ((τe_min_rear − τe_min_front)/τe_min_front) of CBWs were constantly on the trumpet. Furthermore, a homologous period of resonance between the subjective JNDc and τe values of the ACF of CBWs in the alpha range allowed us to conclude that the subjective JND of the ITDG in a room was related to the W__IACC value of the interaural cross-correlation function, which reflected the characteristics of source signals themselves and aroused the activities of the brain in the right hemisphere (p < 0.01). The dry sources of sound stimuli were first used to link the psychological preference and the neurophysiological activation of the room acoustics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Auditory Training)

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11 pages, 42513 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neural Mechanisms Related to the Enhanced Auditory Selective Attention Following Neurofeedback Training: Focusing on Cortical Oscillations

by Hwan Shim, Leah Gibbs, Karsyn Rush, Jusung Ham, Subong Kim, Sungyoung Kim and Inyong Choi

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(14), 8499; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13148499 - 23 Jul 2023

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Abstract

Selective attention can be a useful tactic for speech-in-noise (SiN) interpretation as it strengthens cortical responses to attended sensory inputs while suppressing others. This cortical process is referred to as attentional modulation. Our earlier study showed that a neurofeedback training paradigm was effective for improving the attentional modulation of cortical auditory evoked responses. However, it was unclear how such neurofeedback training improved attentional modulation. This paper attempts to unveil what neural mechanisms underlie strengthened auditory selective attention during the neurofeedback training paradigm. Our EEG time–frequency analysis found that, when spatial auditory attention was focused, a fronto-parietal brain network was activated. Additionally, the neurofeedback training increased beta oscillation, which may imply top-down processing was used to anticipate the sound to be attended selectively with prior information. When the subjects were attending to the sound from the right, they exhibited more alpha oscillation in the right parietal cortex during the final session compared to the first, indicating improved spatial inhibitory processing to suppress sounds from the left. After the four-week training period, the temporal cortex exhibited improved attentional modulation of beta oscillation. This suggests strengthened neural activity to predict the target. Moreover, there was an improvement in the strength of attentional modulation on cortical evoked responses to sounds. The Placebo Group, who experienced similar attention training with the exception that feedback was based simply on behavioral accuracy, did not experience these training effects. These findings demonstrate how neurofeedback training effectively improves the neural mechanisms underlying auditory selective attention. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Auditory Training)

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15 pages, 1837 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Technical Ear Training Game and Its Effect on Critical Listening Skills

by Sungyoung Kim and Jacob Cozzarin

Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(9), 5357; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13095357 - 25 Apr 2023

Viewed by 1771

Abstract

Technical ear training has proven to be an effective tool for developing the skills of junior audio engineers and enhancing their proficiency in audio and music production. To provide a comprehensive auditory training experience, the authors have created a gamified training program that encompasses four modules: spectral identification, auditory localization, consistent judgment, and memory of a mix balance. Each module is designed to give trainees closed-loop audiomotor training, allowing them to instantly assess their performance and identify areas where they need to improve. This new ear-training game helped players to be more engaged and resulted in the improvement of trained audio engineering skills. Moreover, the game also benefited a non-trained auditory skill, speech understanding in noise. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Auditory Training)

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