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Sound localization in noisy contexts: performance, metacognitive evaluations and head movements
Chiara Valzolgher1, Sara Capra2, Elena Gessa3
1Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC), University of Trento, Corso Bettini 31, 38068, Rovereto, TN, Italy. chiara.valzolgher@unitn.it.
Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications
|January 9, 2024
Summary
Sound localization in complex noise environments is difficult. Increased head movement improved accuracy and confidence, while complex soundscapes increased effort and reduced confidence.
Area of Science:
- Auditory Neuroscience
- Human Perception
- Virtual Reality
Background:
- Sound localization is crucial for navigating and interacting with the environment.
- Noisy conditions pose significant challenges to accurate sound localization.
- Understanding the interplay between noise, metacognition, and behavior is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of environmental noise complexity on sound localization performance and metacognitive assessments.
- To examine the role of spontaneous head movements in sound localization within varying noise conditions.
- To explore the relationship between head movement extent, perceived effort, and confidence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized virtual reality to create realistic soundscapes (nature, traffic, cocktail party) with increasing complexity.
- Assessed normal-hearing participants (N=30) on a speech-localization task.
- Measured localization errors, metacognitive evaluations (effort, confidence), and spontaneous head movements.
Main Results:
- Soundscape complexity significantly affected performance errors and metacognitive evaluations, with increased effort and reduced confidence in more complex environments.
- Spontaneous head-related exploratory behaviors were not influenced by soundscape complexity.
- Higher head rotation extent correlated with lower localization errors, irrespective of noise condition.
- Preliminary evidence suggests increased head movement extent reduces perceived effort and increases confidence at a single-trial level.
Conclusions:
- Environmental noise complexity impacts sound localization accuracy and subjective experience (effort, confidence).
- Spontaneous head movements, particularly the extent of rotation, are beneficial for accurate sound localization in noise.
- Head movement extent may modulate perceived effort and confidence, offering a potential compensatory mechanism in challenging auditory environments.
