Psychophysical Models of Sound Localisation with Audiovisual Interactions

AbstractTo perform adaptive behaviours, animals have to establish a representation of the physical “outside” world. How these representations are created by sensory systems is a central issue in sensory physiology. This review addresses the history of experimental approaches toward ideas about sensory coding, using the relatively simple auditory system of acoustic insects. I will discuss the empirical evidence in support of Barlow’s “efficient coding hypothesis”, which argues that the coding properties of neurons undergo specific adaptations that allow insects to detect biologically important acoustic stimuli. This hypothesis opposes the view that the sensory systems of receivers are biased as a result of their phylogeny, which finally determine whether a sound stimulus elicits a behavioural response. Acoustic signals are often transmitted over considerable distances in complex physical environments with high noise levels, resulting in degradation of the temporal pattern of stimuli, unpredictable attenuation, reduced signal-to-noise levels, and degradation of cues used for sound localisation. Thus, a more naturalistic view of sensory coding must be taken, since the signals as broadcast by signallers are rarely equivalent to the effective stimuli encoded by the sensory system of receivers. The consequences of the environmental conditions for sensory coding are discussed.

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Bone-anchored hearing system, contralateral routing of signals hearing aid or cochlear implant: what is best in single-sided deafness?

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology ◽

10.1007/s00405-021-06634-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Till F. Jakob ◽

Iva Speck ◽

Ann-Kathrin Rauch ◽

Frederike Hassepass ◽

Manuel C. Ketterer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Speech Perception ◽

Cochlear Implant ◽

Hearing Aids ◽

Long Term Results ◽

Speech Perception In Noise ◽

Sound Localisation ◽

Therapy Option ◽

Single Sided Deafness ◽

Objective Hearing Tests

Abstract Purpose The aim of the study was to compare long-term results after 1 year in patients with single-sided deafness (SSD) who were fitted with different hearing aids. The participants tested contralateral routing of signals (CROS) hearing aids and bone-anchored hearing systems (BAHS). They were also informed about the possibility of a cochlear implant (CI) and chose one of the three devices. We also investigated which factors influenced the choice of device. Methods Prospective study with 89 SSD participants who were divided into three groups by choosing BAHS, CROS, or CI. All participants received test batteries with both objective hearing tests (speech perception in noise and sound localisation) and subjective questionnaires. Results 16 participants opted for BAHS-, 13 for CROS- and 30 for CI-treatment. The greater the subjective impairment caused by SSD, the more likely patients were to opt for surgical treatment (BAHS or CI). The best results in terms of speech perception in noise (especially when sound reaches the deaf ear and noise the hearing ear), sound localization, and subjective results were achieved with CI. Conclusion The best results regarding the therapy of SSD are achieved with a CI, followed by BAHS. This was evident both in objective tests and in the subjective questionnaires. Nevertheless, an individual decision is required in each case as to which SSD therapy option is best for the patient. Above all, the patient's subjective impairment and expectations should be included in the decision-making process.

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An innovative hearing-impaired assistant with sound-localisation and speech-to-text application

International Journal of Medical Engineering and Informatics ◽

10.1504/ijmei.2022.10042701 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 63

Author(s):

Shriram K. Vasudevan ◽

K.R. Tharun Karthik ◽

B. Bala Ganesh ◽

B.V. Damodar ◽

R. Dharmesh

Keyword(s):

Hearing Impaired ◽

Sound Localisation

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Subjective Evaluation of Three Headphone-Based Virtual Sound Source Positioning Methods Including Differential Head-Related Transfer Function

Archives of Acoustics ◽

10.1515/aoa-2016-0043 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 437-447

Author(s):

Dominik Storek ◽

Frantisek Rund ◽

Petr Marsalek

Keyword(s):

Transfer Function ◽

Sound Source ◽

Subjective Evaluation ◽

Sound Localisation ◽

Signal Features ◽

Listening Tests ◽

Positioning Method ◽

Head Related Transfer Function ◽

Positioning Algorithm ◽

Source Positioning

Abstract This paper analyses the performance of Differential Head-Related Transfer Function (DHRTF), an alternative transfer function for headphone-based virtual sound source positioning within a horizontal plane. This experimental one-channel function is used to reduce processing and avoid timbre affection while preserving signal features important for sound localisation. The use of positioning algorithm employing the DHRTF is compared to two other common positioning methods: amplitude panning and HRTF processing. Results of theoretical comparison and quality assessment of the methods by subjective listening tests are presented. The tests focus on distinctive aspects of the positioning methods: spatial impression, timbre affection, and loudness fluctuations. The results show that the DHRTF positioning method is applicable with very promising performance; it avoids perceptible channel coloration that occurs within the HRTF method, and it delivers spatial impression more successfully than the simple amplitude panning method.

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Optimisation of Sound Localisation for Emergency Vehicle Sirens through a Prototype Audio System

Lecture Notes in Computer Science - Design, User Experience, and Usability. Theory, Methods, Tools and Practice ◽

10.1007/978-3-642-21708-1_21 ◽

2011 ◽

pp. 177-186 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

David Moore ◽

Stephen Boslem ◽

Vassilis Charissis

Keyword(s):

Emergency Vehicle ◽

Sound Localisation ◽

Audio System

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Visualising Sound: Localisation, Feature Analysis and Visualisation

10.14236/ewic/eva2012.22 ◽

2012 ◽

Author(s):

Jack E. Armitage ◽

Kyle Molleson ◽

Michael Battcock ◽

Chris Earnshaw ◽

David Moore ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feature Analysis ◽

Sound Localisation

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HUMAN LOCALISATION OF BAND-PASS FILTERED NOISE

International Journal of Neural Systems ◽

10.1142/s0129065799000459 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 09 (05) ◽

pp. 441-446 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

ANDRÉ VAN SCHAIK ◽

CRAIG JIN ◽

SIMON CARLILE

Keyword(s):

Spatial Location ◽

Interaural Level Difference ◽

Spectral Contrast ◽

Sound Localisation ◽

Spectral Cues ◽

Band Pass ◽

Acoustical Cues ◽

Interaural Time Delay ◽

Filtered Noise ◽

Relationship Of

In this work we study the influence and relationship of five different acoustical cues to the human sound localisation process. These cues are: interaural time delay, interaural level difference, interaural spectrum, monaural spectrum, and band-edge spectral contrast. Of particular interest was the synthesis and integration of the different cues to produce a coherent and robust percept of spatial location. The relative weighting and role of the different cues was investigated using band-pass filtered white noise with a frequency range (in kHz) of: 0.3–5, 0.3–7, 0.3–10, 0.3–14, 3–8, 4–9, and 7-14. These stimuli provided varying amounts of spectral information and physiologically detectable temporal information, thus probing the localisation process under varying sound conditions. Three subjects with normal hearing in both ears have performed five trials of 76 test positions for each of these stimuli in an anechoic room. All subjects showed systematic mislocalisation on most of these stimuli. The location to which they are mislocalised varies among subjects but in a systematic manner related to the five different acoustical cues. These cues have been correlated with the subject's localisation responses on an individual basis with the results suggesting that the internal weighting of the spectral cues may vary with the sound condition.

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