ABSTRACT
Recent studies of binaural detection are described in this chapter, and available experimental results are summarized. Attention is focused on performance measured for individual masker waveforms in the context of random selection of maskers from trial to trial. Theoretical attempts to understand these data are presented. Specific models to be discussed include interaural difference models with various assumptions about how interaural time differences and interaural level differences are combined, the equalization-cancellation (EC) model, and interaural cross-correlation models. In general, empirical results impose strong constraints on theoretical models, and the challenge of describing these data persists. We conclude that there are no satisfactory models for binaural NoSn detection when the dependence of detection probabilities on individual masker waveforms is considered. We suggest that the most promising approach is a physiologically based, non linear combination of interaural difference information.
