Absolute auditory object localization

This thesis concerns the potential use of auditory virtual reality (A VR) in safety-critical situations. Localization accuracy is essential in many VR situations, such as simulated cockpits, where vision is fully occupied and targets must be signified acoustically. However, the errors reported for localizing 3D sounds varies considerably in the literature and some (e.g. Wightman & Kistler, 1989; Wenzel et aI, 1993) report fairly large errors. This thesis consists of an evaluation of the use of acoustic cues to indicate the location of certain targets. A Knowles Electronic Manikin for Acoustic Research (KEMAR) was used to examine the effects of individualized pinnae on localization accuracy. The results showed that using our own pinnae over foreign pinnae provides little or no benefit. More surprisingly, substantial errors were observed in this study. This initial result drove the fundamental investigation into the large angle errors. The method of eliciting subject responses was investigated. The findings established response method as an important methodological feature in localization experiments from the significant effect it has on the results. Error values can be halved when using a categorical method, compared to an unguided (non-categorical) method, possibly because it constrains the subjects' response options. A further possible constraint on subject responses is the effect of memory in absolute judgement tasks. If the memory of one sound impinges on subsequent sounds then the subject's judgement is constrained and the measurement of error may be contaminated. This effect was studied by introducing variable delays that should affect memory .(0 a different extent. No obvious differences in accuracy were noted. This rules out 'interstimulus interval' as a cause for the variability of reported angle errors. Stimulus types were varied in an effort to maximise acuity. Although broadband sounds are purported to give the smallest errors (e.g. Stevens & Newman, 1936; Sandel et aI, 1955), this investigation offered a unique comparison of long and shortduration broadband and complex sounds. But consistently high angle errors forced the inclusions of non-acoustic cues such as vision and head movements, which decreased the error to between 0° and 7°. III The implicatioos for VR in light of the importance of vision (demonstrated by this work), are that it is 'not advisable to implement an auditory cueing system that may conflict or fail to be guided by vision. Where high levels of accuracy are required, as is paramount in safety-criticalsituations, auditory localizatioo is not sufficient as a sole cue to target location. Scientific conclusion: The acoustic cues alone (independent of context) cannot support accurate auditory localization. Applications conclusion: It is not advisable to implement an auditory cueing system that is not guided by vision.