Forward masking enhances the auditory brainstem response in the free-tailed bat, Tadarida brasiliensis, during a critical time window for sonar reception
Abstract
Forward masking is a widespread auditory phenomenon in which the response to one sound transiently reduces the response to a succeeding sound. This study used auditory brainstem responses to measure temporal masking effects in the free-tailed bat, Tadarida brasiliensis. A digital subtraction protocol was used to isolate responses to the second of a pair of pulses varying in interval, revealing a suppression phase lasting <4 ms followed by an enhancement phase lasting 4–15 ms during which the ABR waveform was amplified up to 100%. The results suggest echolocating bats possess adaptations for enhancing sonar receiver gain shortly after pulse emission.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2019
- Source ID
- 10.1121/1.5087278
Entities
People
- Kushal Bakshi
- Michael Smotherman
Organizations
- National Science Foundation
- Office of Naval Research
- Texas A&M University