Evaluation of a Physiologically Based Auditory Model Using Psychophysical Data

A Physiologically based auditory model (O. Ghitza, J. Phonetics 16(1), 109-123, 1988) was tested against human psychophysical data. The model consists of a set of cochlear filters inferred from frequency selectivity of primary auditory fibers in cat, rate-level processing, and synchrony extraction. Iso-loudness contours for pure tones are calculated from the model and are compared to those measured in human by Fletcher and Munson (1933) and by Robinson and Dadson (1956). The model is also used to simulate Scharf's (JASA 31, 365-370, 1959) critical-band measurements using complex sounds of four components. In addition, both calculated and measured critical-band results are plotted as a function of cochlear place using formulas for human and cat cochlear maps in Greenwood's recent paper (submitted to JASA). The comparison of calculated and measured data suggests possible improvements of the model.