We live in a complex and dynamically changing acoustic environment. To this end, the auditory cortex of humans has developed the ability to process a remarkable amount of diverse acoustic information with apparent ease. In fact, a phylogenetic comparison of auditory systems reveals that human auditory association cortex in particular has undergone extensive changes relative to that of other species, although our knowledge of this remains incomplete. In contrast to other senses, human auditory cortex receives input that is highly pre-processed in a number of sub-cortical structures; this suggests that even primary auditory cortex already performs quite complex analyses. At the same time, much of the functional role of the various sub-areas in human auditory cortex is still relatively unknown, and a more sophisticated understanding is only now emerging through the use of contemporary electrophysiological and neuroimaging techniques. The integration of results across the various techniques signify a new era in our knowledge of how human auditory cortex forms basis for auditory experience.This volume on human auditory cortex will have two major parts. In Part A, the principal methodologies currently used to investigate human auditory cortex will be discussed. Each chapter will first outline how the methodology is used in auditory neuroscience, highlighting the challenges of obtaining data from human auditory cortex; second, each methods chapter will provide two or (at most) three brief examples of how it has been used to generate a major result about auditory processing. In Part B, the central questions for auditory processing in human auditory cortex are covered. Each chapter can draw on all the methods introduced in Part A but will focus on a major computational challenge the system has to solve.This volume will constitute an important contemporary reference work on human auditory cortex. Arguably, this will be the first and most focused book on this critical neurological structure. The combination of different methodological and experimental approaches as well as a diverse range of aspects of human auditory perception ensures that this volume will inspire novel insights and spurn future research.
From the book reviews:
"This is a comprehensive textbook about the imaging and multielectrode investigation of the primary auditory human cortex. ... I recommend this book for neurosurgeons, auditory physiologists, anatomists, and sensory physiology students and fellows. ... There is a place for this book to be on the desks of audition investigators and audiologists." (Joseph J. Grenier, Amazon.com, October, 2014)
"This book describes the auditory cortex of humans as related to auditory processing and explores the various techniques available to study auditory processing. ... It is intended for advanced graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and clinical investigators with an interest in hearing research. ... This is a very good handbook on the auditory cortex, covering the topic well from methodology through elementary challenges in auditory processing. ... for those with a basic background in audition, it will add greatly to their knowledge base." (Gary B. Kaniuk, Doody's Review Service, October, 2012)
"This is a comprehensive textbook about the imaging and multielectrode investigation of the primary auditory human cortex. ... I recommend this book for neurosurgeons, auditory physiologists, anatomists, and sensory physiology students and fellows. ... There is a place for this book to be on the desks of audition investigators and audiologists." (Joseph J. Grenier, Amazon.com, October, 2014)
"This book describes the auditory cortex of humans as related to auditory processing and explores the various techniques available to study auditory processing. ... It is intended for advanced graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and clinical investigators with an interest in hearing research. ... This is a very good handbook on the auditory cortex, covering the topic well from methodology through elementary challenges in auditory processing. ... for those with a basic background in audition, it will add greatly to their knowledge base." (Gary B. Kaniuk, Doody's Review Service, October, 2012)