A study of auditory localization mechanism based on thought experiments

Publication date: Available online 28 January 2019Source: Physics of Life ReviewsAuthor(s): Yi-de Zhang, Wei LiuAbstractThe focus of this study is auditory localization. Based on wave mechanics and structural mechanics, we analyze the sound field encircling external ear and the function of the soft tissues in middle ear respectively. And then, with the help of two rules, some details of the generation of spatial hearing are revealed. For auditory direction perception, three semicircular canals work as the reference coordinate system, and the cues are the direction of the concentrated force acting on tympanic membrane and the synchronous stress state. For the distance perception, because the distance information of the sound source is converted into some comparisons, the accuracy is closely related to the amount of useable sound sources. Therefore, the bad accuracy of the distance perception is inevitable in most cases. When it is necessary, many cues based on experience will be utilized to enhance the accuracy of the distance perception, which brings the diversity to auditory localization. Additionally, our results also can be used to explain some well known acoustic phenomena, such as auditory localization with one ear and the cocktail party effect.

Source: Physics of Life Reviews - January 29, 2019 Category: Physics Source Type: research