Near-Field and Distance Cues in Auditory Spatial Displays
Abstract
Analysis showed that, when sources are within a meter of the listener, binaural differences resolve source location to within a torus of space. Localization studies demonstrated that despite the fact that the direct sound reaching the ears is relatively intense for nearby sources, the reverberation dramatically improves distance perception. In fact, it also causes minor degradations in directional localization accuracy; however, these effects are relatively minor. Results also suggest that in a room listener's accuracy at judging source distance and direction improved gradually with time, even in the absence of direct feedback about localization performance. Headphone studies confirmed that reverberation is a dominant cue for source distance, even for nearby sources in which the reverberant energy is low and binaural cues provide distance information. Results suggest that distance is computed primarily from the signal reaching the nearer ear and is a primarily monaural cue. Thus, in order to simulate distance in a spatial auditory display, including realistic reverberation is critical. Acoustical measurements demonstrate that many features of the signals reaching a listener's ears change with distance and with reverberation. Further work must be performed in order to determine which of these features is critical in the perception of source distance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 20, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA387883
Entities
People
- Barbara Shinn-Cunningham
- Douglas S. Brungart
Organizations
- Boston University