Thresholds were measured for 5-ms 1-kHz tones masked by synchronous bursts of noise
containing a spectral notch centered on the signal frequency. Thresholds were reduced by
prior exposure to a 200-ms burst of a 'priming stimulus' which had the same spectral shape
as the masker. The masking release was greatest for notch widths extending between 20–
30% above and below the signal frequency. It did not occur when the masker and primer
were bandpass noises extending from 200–1800 Hz. A smaller masking release could be …

Thresholds were measured for 5‐ms 1‐kHz tones masked by synchronous bursts of noise
containing a spectral notch centered on the signal frequency. These thresholds were
reduced by prior exposure to a 200‐ms burst of a “priming stimulus,” which had the same
spectral shape as the masker. This masking release was greatest for notch widths extending
between 20%–30% on either side of the signal frequency, and was absent when the masker
and primer contained no notch. A smaller masking release could be obtained with primers …