Cortical representation of auditory space

Abstract

It has been known for many years that an intact auditory cortex is necessary for the normal ability of carnivores and primates, including humans, to localize sound sources. As such, the auditory cortex plays an essential part in one of the most important functions of hearing, which is critical to the way in which these species perceive and interact with their environments. For example, the ability to determine the direction of sound-producing objects or events is often used to find potential mates or prey or to avoid and escape from approaching predators. Sound localization also contributes in important ways to the process by which different sound sources are segregated from one another and therefore aids source identification.