Computer simulation of auditory stream segregation in alternating-tone sequences

Abstract

A computer model is described that takes a novel approach to the problem of accounting for perceptual coherence in alternating pure-tone sequences by using simple physiological principles that operate at a low level. Using the same set of parameter values, the model is able to reproduce a number of phenomena associated with auditory stream segregation. These are (1) the buildup of stream segregation over time, (2) the temporal coherence and fission boundaries obtained from human listeners, and (3) the trill threshold. Whereas these phenomena are generally accounted for in terms of an auditory scene-analysis process that works on the basis of Gestalt perceptual principles, the operation of the model suggests that some Gestalt auditory grouping may be the product of low-level processes.