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Updated: Jun 18, 2026
07:52
An Automated System for Sound Localization Testing in Hearing-Impaired Listeners
Published on: March 13, 2026
Localization interference between components in an auditory scene
Adrian K C Lee1, Ade Deane-Pratt, Barbara G Shinn-Cunningham
1Hearing Research Center, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|November 10, 2009
Summary
Auditory object localization integrates spatial cues from simultaneous sounds, even if not perceived as one object. Distinct auditory objects spatially repel, with repulsion weakening over time.
Area of Science:
- Auditory perception
- Psychoacoustics
- Spatial hearing
Background:
- Past research indicates spatial cue integration for perceived location when sounds form a single object.
- Integration is reduced when sound elements are perceived as separate objects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how sound element configurations (spatial, spectral, temporal) influence auditory object localization.
- To relate localization findings to perceptual grouping of the same stimuli.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of localization results based on spatial, spectral, and temporal sound element configurations.
- Interpretation of findings in the context of prior perceptual grouping experiments.
Main Results:
- Obligatory integration (pulling) of spatial information across simultaneous, spectrally interleaved sound elements occurs, irrespective of strong perceptual grouping.
- Perceptually distinct auditory objects exhibit spatial repulsion, which diminishes with increased temporal separation.
Conclusions:
- Auditory object localization is influenced by obligatory spatial integration of simultaneous sounds.
- Spatial repulsion between distinct auditory objects is time-dependent.
- Perceived location of an attended object is complex and not solely predictable by its spectro-temporal content.
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