Perceptual Asymmetry between Initial and Final Glides: Psycho Acoustics and Cochlear Encoding

Psycho-acoustic experiments show a perceptual asymmetry between tone and formant transitions in initial and final position: difference limens in end point frequency are significantly larger for transitions followed by a steady-state than preceded by one. Sensitivity of end point detection decreases as a result of auditory masking and/or a memory recency effect. The present paper describes how sensitivity varies with duration, stimulus complexity and position of the transition (section I) and tentatively examines whether peripheral indications can be found for the perceptual asymmetry, by means of a cochlear model (section II).