On the place code for pitch: A psychophysiological paradox in the classical concept

The place of maximum excitation in the cochlea has been believed to be the code for the pitch of tones since mid 19-th century. More recent physiological experiments have revealed that, in a healthy cochlea, the maximum is displaced gradually toward the cochlear base (input) as the sound pressure is...

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Main Author: Jozef J. ZWISLOCKI
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Institute of Fundamental Technological Research Polish Academy of Sciences 2014-04-01
Series:Archives of Acoustics
Subjects:
Online Access:https://acoustics.ippt.pan.pl/index.php/aa/article/view/700
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author Jozef J. ZWISLOCKI
author_facet Jozef J. ZWISLOCKI
author_sort Jozef J. ZWISLOCKI
collection DOAJ
description The place of maximum excitation in the cochlea has been believed to be the code for the pitch of tones since mid 19-th century. More recent physiological experiments have revealed that, in a healthy cochlea, the maximum is displaced gradually toward the cochlear base (input) as the sound pressure is increased, whereas the pitch remains practically constant. This paradox suggests that the maximum excitation may not be the adequate code for the pitch after all. In the presence of hearing loss of cochlear origin, the pitch appears higher than normal. As the sound pressure level is increased, it changes gradually back to normal. By contrast, the maximum of cochlear excitation in the presence of cochlear damage, although displaced toward the cochlear base, remains independent of sound pressure level. In both situations, normal and pathological, the apical cut off of cochlear excitation depends on the sound pressure level in the same way as does the pitch. Could the cut off be the adequate place code for the pitch?
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institution Kabale University
issn 0137-5075
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publishDate 2014-04-01
publisher Institute of Fundamental Technological Research Polish Academy of Sciences
record_format Article
series Archives of Acoustics
spelling doaj-art-bad57f0f38334508a5e96e97f25c3d922025-08-20T03:50:45ZengInstitute of Fundamental Technological Research Polish Academy of SciencesArchives of Acoustics0137-50752300-262X2014-04-01323On the place code for pitch: A psychophysiological paradox in the classical conceptJozef J. ZWISLOCKI0Syracuse University, Institute for Sensory ResearchThe place of maximum excitation in the cochlea has been believed to be the code for the pitch of tones since mid 19-th century. More recent physiological experiments have revealed that, in a healthy cochlea, the maximum is displaced gradually toward the cochlear base (input) as the sound pressure is increased, whereas the pitch remains practically constant. This paradox suggests that the maximum excitation may not be the adequate code for the pitch after all. In the presence of hearing loss of cochlear origin, the pitch appears higher than normal. As the sound pressure level is increased, it changes gradually back to normal. By contrast, the maximum of cochlear excitation in the presence of cochlear damage, although displaced toward the cochlear base, remains independent of sound pressure level. In both situations, normal and pathological, the apical cut off of cochlear excitation depends on the sound pressure level in the same way as does the pitch. Could the cut off be the adequate place code for the pitch?https://acoustics.ippt.pan.pl/index.php/aa/article/view/700pitchplace codecochleamaximum excitationsound pressure level
spellingShingle Jozef J. ZWISLOCKI
On the place code for pitch: A psychophysiological paradox in the classical concept
Archives of Acoustics
pitch
place code
cochlea
maximum excitation
sound pressure level
title On the place code for pitch: A psychophysiological paradox in the classical concept
title_full On the place code for pitch: A psychophysiological paradox in the classical concept
title_fullStr On the place code for pitch: A psychophysiological paradox in the classical concept
title_full_unstemmed On the place code for pitch: A psychophysiological paradox in the classical concept
title_short On the place code for pitch: A psychophysiological paradox in the classical concept
title_sort on the place code for pitch a psychophysiological paradox in the classical concept
topic pitch
place code
cochlea
maximum excitation
sound pressure level
url https://acoustics.ippt.pan.pl/index.php/aa/article/view/700
work_keys_str_mv AT jozefjzwislocki ontheplacecodeforpitchapsychophysiologicalparadoxintheclassicalconcept