Simultaneous comparison of two sound Localization Measures.

Simultaneous comparison of two sound Localization Measures.
Hear Res. 2014 Sep 24;
Authors: Jones AE, Ruhland JL, Gai Y, Yin TC
Abstract
Almost all behavioral studies of sound localization have used either an approach-to-target or pointing/orienting task to assess absolute sound localization performance, yet there are very few direct comparisons of these measures. In an approach-to-target task, the subject is trained to walk to a sound source from a fixed location. In an orienting task, finger, head and/or eye movements are monitored while the subject's body is typically constrained. The fact that subjects may also initiate head and eye movements toward the target during the approach-to-target task allows us to measure the accuracy of the initial orienting response and compare it with subsequent target selection. To perform this comparison, we trained cats to localize a broadband noise presented randomly from one of four speakers located ±30° and ±60° in azimuth. The cat responded to each sound presentation by walking to and pressing a lever at the perceived location, and a food reward was delivered if the first attempt was correct. In tandem, we recorded initial head and eye orienting movements, via magnetic search coils, immediately following target onset and prior to the walking response. Reducing either stimulus duration or level resulted in a systematic decline in both measurements of localization performance. When the task ...

Source: Hearing Research - September 24, 2014 Category: Audiology Authors: Jones AE, Ruhland JL, Gai Y, Yin TC Tags: Hear Res Source Type: research