Definition of Dichotic pitch
In Audiology, dichotic pitch (or the dichotic pitch phenomenon) is a pitch heard due to binaural processing, when the brain combines two noises presented simultaneously to the ears. In other words, it cannot be heard when the sound stimulus is presented monaurally (to one ear) but, when it is presented binaurally (simultaneously, to both ears) a sensation of a pitch can be heard. The binaural stimulus is presented to both ears through headphones simultaneously, and is the same in several respects except for a narrow frequency band that is manipulated. The most common variation is the Huggins Pitch, which presents white-noise that only differ in the interaural phase relation over a narrow range of frequencies. For humans, this phenomenon is restricted to fundamental frequencies lower than 330 Hz and extremely low sound pressure levels. Experts investigate the effects of the dichotic pitch on the brain. For instance, there are studies that suggested it evokes activation at the lateral end of Heschl's gyrus.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Dichotic pitch?
In Audiology, dichotic pitch (or the dichotic pitch phenomenon) is a pitch heard due to binaural processing, when the brain combines two noises presented simultaneously to the ears.