Mechanistic Aspects of Hearing

Abstract

Despite the ear's physical complexity, its performance may be described in terms of a set of simple analyzers. Considerable work on the analogous properties of the ear has already been presented by Fletcher and Munson, among others. Work on the analysis of transients leads to equations permitting further extension of the earlier work. Experiments requiring a subject to make quantitative estimates of magnitude indicate the sensory behavior of the ear. Experiments yielding the limits of a subject's discrimination are likely to lead to a mechanistic analog. (This work is supported by the Office of Naval Research.)