摘要：SummaryVocalization, such as speaking, inevitably generates sensory feedback that can cause self-generated masking. However, perceptual hearing sensitivity during vocal production is poorly understood. Using an adaptive psychophysical method, we measured the perceptual hearing sensitivity of an echolocating bat,Hipposideros pratti, in a passive listening (PL) task to detect pure tones, an active listening (AL) task to detect pure tones triggered by its vocalization, and a phantom echo task. We found that hangingH.prattihad the best hearing sensitivity of approximately 0 dB sound pressure level (SPL) in the PL task but much lower hearing sensitivity (nearly 40 dB worse) in the echo task. In the AL task, all bats gradually increased call frequency by 0.8–1.1 kHz, which improved their hearing sensitivity by 25–29 dB. This study underscores the need for studying the sensory capability of subjects engaged in active behaviors.Graphical abstractDisplay OmittedHighlights•Vocal production strongly affects the perceptual hearing sensitivity of bats•Forward masking explains the reduced hearing sensitivity during vocalization•Long-term vocal plasticity enables bats to overcome self-generated auditory maskingBiological sciences; Neuroscience; Sensory neuroscience
