ABSTRACT
Information in the auditory domain is carried mainly by changes in the characteristics of sounds over time. This is true on a small time scale, when interpreting individual speech sounds, and on a larger time scale, when hearing the engine of a car become gradually louder as it approaches. However, it is the speed at which the auditory system can process sounds that is truly remarkable. In order to process such fast-changing stimuli, the auditory system has to have good temporal resolution. This chapter examines two aspects of hearing over time. First, our ability to follow rapid changes in a sound over time, and second, our ability to combine information about sounds over much longer durations to improve detection and discrimination performance.
