Sound Localization Abilities of Untrained Humans Using Complex and Sinusoidal Sounds

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Abstract
The abilities of untrained adults to aim a pointer at a hidden sound source was measured. The localization errors were 16°±13° and 13°±10° for 1 and 8 kHz sine waves. Using 1/3 octave noise bands centered at 1 and 8 kHz and a wide band noise, the localizational errors were 7°±7°, 6°±8° and 4°±4°. The nose band localization ability was significantly more acute than that for sine waves. This difference is attributed to prior experience with the acoustic clues. Noise bands provide time clues and are common in nature. Sine waves below about 1.4 kHz provide interaural phase clues and those above about 1.4 kHz provide interaural intensity clues. Sine waves are not common in nature, so the subjects had not had the opportunity to develop localizational abilities using these clues.

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