Processing strategies of the auditory system for improving the detection of masked signals

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The auditory system of mammals is a sophisticated sensory mechanism that enables the analysis and communication within complex acoustic environments. It utilizes a diverse range of physical signal properties processed through various mechanical and neural stages along the auditory pathway. This research aimed to explore the processing strategies that enhance the auditory system's remarkable ability to detect signals amidst complex sounds. Employing psychoacoustic methods and signal processing techniques, findings revealed that coherent intensity fluctuations across different frequency regions and interaural disparities are processed with high efficiency. Furthermore, the application of a physically-based, nonlinear, and active cochlear model provided a foundation for distinguishing the contributions of mechanical and neural processing stages in analyzing complex acoustic scenes. Through these investigations, the thesis sheds light on the intricate mechanisms that underpin auditory perception, highlighting the interplay between various processing strategies that facilitate effective sound detection in challenging acoustic settings.