Role of pinnae and head movements in localizing pure tones

Author(s): Bovet, P.

Journal/Book: Swiss J Psychology. 1999; 58: Langgass-Strasse 76, CH-3000 Bern 9, Switzerland. Verlag Hans Huber. 170-179.

Abstract: Twelve blindfolded subjects localized two different pure tones, randomly played by eight sound sources in the horizontal plane. Either subjects could get information supplied by their pinnae (external ear) and their head movements or not, We found that pinnae. As well as head movements, had a marked influence on auditory localization performance with this type of sound. Effects of pinnae and head movements seemed to be additive; the absence of one or the other factor provoked the same loss of localization accuracy and even much the same error pattern. Head movement analysis showed that subjects turn their face towards the emitting sound source, except for sources exactly in the front or exactly in the rear, which are identified by turning the head to both sides. The head movement amplitude increased smoothly as the sound source moved from the anterior to the posterior quadrant.

Note: Article Muller BS, Univ Geneva, Fac Psychol & Sci Educ, Lab Psychol Cognit, 40 Bd du Pont dArve, CH-1205 Geneva, SWITZERLAND

Keyword(s): auditory localization; pinnae; head movements; frequency; SOUND LOCALIZATION; AUDITORY SPACE; HUMAN EAR; TOPOGRAPHY; ACUITY; CUES

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