Additional Theoretical Implications of Binaural Beats Free

Historically, the phenomenon of binaural beats has been considered to be a strong indication of binaural beats has been considered to be a strong information. Usually, one listens to the beats with bilaterally matched sound‐pressure levels (zero interaural intensity difference). However, in investigating the limits of dichotic intensity which permit binaural beats, it was noted in the present study that subjects respond to the presence of beats whenever the tones to both ears are above threshold. The frequency range investigated was 100 to 2000 cps. As other authors have previously reported, the best performance occurred in the 500‐ to 600‐cps range. It is obvious (after the fact) on the basis of any of several of the popular schemes used for representing binaural interaction that the binaural beat should follow a physiological rather than a physical logic. The case for separate timing channels in the auditory nervous system is thus further strengthened. The phenomenology of the “unbalanced beat” and implications for pitch theory as well as for binaural interaction theory are discussed.