[Signal detection theoretical aspects of various threshold detection procedures].

Psychoacoustic threshold detection measurements are widely used in clinical and research applications. A variety of procedures has been described to measure psychoacoustic thresholds. Each of these procedures has advantages and disadvantages. For clinical purposes procedures providing fast results may be preferred whereas for psychoacoustic research the threshold has to be determined as exactly as possible. Conventional procedures are based on a yes/no paradigm. Since these procedures are influenced by criterion shifts, n-alternative forced choice procedures were developed. Here the patient has to indicate the interval most likely to contain the signal. Additionally, it is possible to estimate the threshold based upon few data and comparing these to known psychometric functions. Following an overview outlining procedural aspects of threshold detection methods aspects of signal detection theory in relation to these procedures are discussed. Signal detection theory may help to explain why results obtained with various procedures may be quite different.