Auditory Object Analysis

Abstract

The question addressed in this chapter is how the auditory system allows us to represent the elements of the acoustic world? The term auditory object is widely used in the literature but in a number of different ways. We consider different aspects of object analysis and the ways in which these can be approached by using experimental techniques such as functional imaging. Functional imaging allows us to map networks for the abstraction of perceived objects and generalization across objects. This fundamental aspect of auditory perception involves high-level cortical mechanisms in the lateral temporal lobe. Systems identification techniques based on Bayesian model selection in individual subjects allow the testing of specific models that explain the activity of the networks that are mapped.