Auditory Distortion Products f2−f1 and 2f1−f2

Abstract

Two primary tones of frequency f1 = 368–1475 Hz and f2 = 1.1–1.5 times f1 were presented monaurally at 60–80 dB sound-pressure level. Nonlinear distortion products at both f2−f1 and 2f1−f2 were made to beat against low-intensity probe tones slightly mistuned from the frequency of the distortion product. Subjects adjusted the amplitude and phase of cancellation tones at the frequency of the distortion product to eliminate the beating. The amplitude and phase of the 2f1−f2 cancellation tone agree with results already in the literature. The amplitude of the f2−f1 cancellation tone relative to the primary tones is insensitive to amplitude of the primary tones. Both the amplitude and phase angle of the f2−f1 cancellation tone decrease with an increase of f1 or f2/f1. Differences between properties of the 2f1−f2 and f2−f1 cancellation tones are consistent with a model for generation of distortion products proposed by Goldstein.