Transaural experiments and a revised duplex theory for the localization of low-frequency tones

Abstract

The roles of interaural time difference (ITD) and interaural level difference (ILD) were studied in free-field source localization experiments for sine tones of low frequency (250–750 Hz). Experiments combined real-source trials with virtual trials created through transaural synthesis based on real-time ear canal measurements. Experiments showed the following: (1) The naturally occurring ILD is physically large enough to exert an influence on sound localization well below 1000 Hz. (2) An ILD having the same sign as the ITD modestly enhances the perceived azimuth of tones for all values of the ITD, and it eliminates left-right confusions that otherwise occur when the interaural phase difference (IPD) passes 180°. (3) Increasing the ILD to large, implausible values can decrease the perceived laterality while also increasing front-back confusions. (4) Tone localization is more directly related to the ITD than to the IPD. (5) An ILD having a sign opposite to the ITD promotes a slipped-cycle ITD, sometimes with dramatic effects on localization. Because the role of the ITD itself is altered by the ILD, the duplex processing of ITD and ILD reflects more than mere trading; the effect of the ITD can be reversed in sign.