Human auditory frequency-following responses to a missing fundamental

Science. 1978 Aug 18;201(4356):639-41. doi: 10.1126/science.675250.

Abstract

Both a complex tone perceived as a 365-hertz "missing fundamental" and a 365-hertz pure tone evoked 365-hertz far-field frequency-following responses. Narrow-band masking noise centered at 365 hertz attenuated the responses to the pure tone but not to the complex tone. Results support the concept that perception of the missing fundamental is based on periodic neural activity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Auditory Pathways / physiology*
  • Evoked Potentials
  • Humans
  • Inferior Colliculi / physiology*
  • Periodicity
  • Pitch Discrimination / physiology*