Bayesian reconstruction of sound localization cues from responses to random spectra |
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Authors: | Paul M Hofman A John Van Opstal |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Biophysics, University of Nijmegen, Geert Grooteplein 21, 6525 EZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands, NL |
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Abstract: | The directionally sensitive acoustics of the pinnae enable humans to perceive the up–down and front–back direction of sound.
This mechanism complements another, independent mechanism that derives sound-source azimuth from interaural difference cues.
The pinnae effectively add direction-dependent spectral notches and peaks to the incoming sound, and it has been shown that
such features are used to code sound direction in the median plane. However, it is still unclear which of the pinna-induced
features play a role in sound localization. The present study presents a method for the reconstruction of the spatially relevant
features in the spectral domain. Broadband sounds with random spectral shapes were presented in rapid succession as subjects
made saccadic eye movements toward the perceived stimulus locations. The analysis, which is based on Bayesian statistics,
indicates that specific spectral features could be associated with perceived spatial locations. Spectral features that were
determined by this psychophysical method resemble the main characteristics of the pinna transfer functions obtained from acoustic
measurements in the ear canal. Despite current experimental limitations, the approach may prove useful in the study of perceptually
relevant spectral cues underlying human sound localization.
Received: 2 December 2000 / Accepted in revised form: 23 October 2001 |
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