Sound Localization in Free Field and Interaural Threshold Differences

Abstract

It is a well known fact that the ability of locating sound sources by persons with normal hearing depends on the type of signal. It is moreover a fact that persons with unilateral deafness, at least to certain types of signals, lose the ability of sound localizing.

Experiments were performed with the intention of making certain the relation between the ability of sound localization in the horisontal plane and the threshold difference between the two ears, one of which had normal hearing. The listeners with eliminated visual orientation were placed in different angular positions to the sound source in an anechoic chamber. Different types of signals were used. The results will be discussed in regard to a practical point of view.