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Published on: October 29, 2018
Compression of auditory space during forward self-motion
Wataru Teramoto1, Shuichi Sakamoto, Fumimasa Furune
1Research Institute of Electrical Communication, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan. teraw@ais.riec.tohoku.ac.jp
Plos One
|July 7, 2012
Summary
Linear acceleration distorts auditory space representation during forward self-motion. Sounds are perceived as biased towards the direction of movement, with greater acceleration causing larger spatial shifts. This impacts how we interpret sound environments while moving.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Auditory Perception
- Vestibular System
Background:
- Auditory spatial perception is challenged by self-motion, yet humans maintain a stable auditory environment.
- The brain integrates auditory information with movement data to reinterpret spatial inputs.
- The precise mechanisms by which movement modulates auditory perception remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of linear acceleration on auditory space representation.
- To understand how self-motion affects the perceived location of sounds.
Main Methods:
- Participants underwent passive linear acceleration in a robotic wheelchair.
- Sound bursts were presented from loudspeakers during self-motion.
- Listeners indicated perceived sound direction or pointed to perceived sound locations.
Main Results:
- Forward self-motion caused sounds to be perceived as shifted ahead of their actual location (ahead of the null point).
- The magnitude of this auditory spatial displacement increased with acceleration.
- Sounds in the direction of travel were perceived as biased towards the null point during forward motion.
Conclusions:
- Forward self-motion induces a distortion in auditory space representation.
- This distortion may result from anticipatory shifts in auditory receptive fields.
- Vestibular system afferent signals likely play a role in this adaptive mechanism.
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