Sound localization by human listeners.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review synthesizing theoretical mechanisms without systematic review methods.
PubMed 2018391 · doi:10.1146/annurev.ps.42.020191.001031
What was done
This paper presents a narrative review synthesizing evidence and theoretical models regarding how human listeners determine sound source location in free-field acoustic environments.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data, effect sizes, or statistical tests. It describes a two-process model: azimuth is determined by interaural time or intensity differences (with low-frequency time cues dominating when both are present), while elevation is determined by spectral shape filtering by the pinna matched against stored directional transfer functions. Head motion provides only modest improvements in localization precision, and auditory motion perception is described as the detection of static location changes over time.
Why it matters
It outlines the classic dual-process framework for auditory spatial perception, separating horizontal localization mechanisms from vertical spectral filtering cues.
Limits
The abstract contains no empirical primary data, sample sizes, confidence intervals, or systematic search methodology, functioning purely as a narrative synthesis of existing literature.
Cited by
- supports The physical folds of the outer ear filter incoming sounds and alter their frequency content to aid in sound localization.