Subject: Cochlear implants and pitch. From: Al Bregman <al.bregman(at)MCGILL.CA> Date: Mon, 26 Nov 2001 10:40:21 -0500Dear list members, I don't know very much about the experiences of people wearing cochlear implants. So this question may just be silly. I assume that at least in some cases, when you apply a signal to an electrode, A, a pitch is heard. If you stimulate an electrode, B, that is separated from A by one step in the electrode array, with the same signal, another pitch is heard. So here's the question: What is heard when both A and B are stimulated at the same time, with the same signal: (1) a pitch intermediate between the pitches of A and B? (2) the pitches of A and B both heard at the same time? (3) something else? What got me thinking about this was diplacusis. Even though the left and right ear hear different pitches when stimulated individually by the same signal, usually when both are stimulated by the same signal, only one pitch is heard, falling between the two. Somehow a compromise pitch is heard. Considering separate electrodes to be the analog of the separate ears in diplacusis, is the result of joint stimulation a compromise or a duality? Thanks, Al ------------------------------------------------- Albert S. Bregman, Emeritus Professor Dept of Psychology, McGill University 1205 Docteur Penfield Avenue Montreal, QC, Canada H3A 1B1 Office: Phone: +1 (514) 398-6103 Fax: +1 (514) 398-4896 Home phone & Fax: +1 (514) 484-2592 Email: al.bregman(at)mcgill.ca -------------------------------------------------