perception 5

Question 1

how does binaural cues help us localise sounds

Answer 1

this relates to two ears
need to compare signals in the left and right ears which allows us to signal the location of sounds in azimuth (left to right plane)

Question 2

how does monaural cues help us to localise sounds

Answer 2

work with one ear to help us find the elevation (up and down plane) and the distance of a sound

Question 3

what determines the time in which a sound arrives

Answer 3

depends on the sounds location in azimuth (left-right plane)
ie if the sound is straight ahead this means that the distance to both ears is the same so the time will be the same compared to if if the sound is from the left the sound will reach nearer ear/left ear first

Question 4

what does interaural time differences depend on

Answer 4

speed of sound

distance between 2 ears

Question 5

what is the maximum interaural time in humans

Answer 5

0.6ms

Question 6

what are the strengths and limitations of binaural cues

Answer 6

+ both provide info about azimuth location
+ ITD’s good for low frequency sounds
+ ILD’s give info about high frequency sounds
- tell us nothing about distance
- give ambiguous info about elevation

Question 7

what is relative intensity

Answer 7

sound intensity decreases with distance for this reason closer objects have a higher amplitude than those further away

Question 8

what is reverberation

Answer 8

when sound reflects of multiple objects this then combines together to produce a persistence of sound

Question 9

what is the precedence effect

Answer 9

when similar sounds arrive quickly from different locations which are then localised to the direction of the first sound

Question 10

what is spectral grouping

Answer 10

combining different parts of frequency sounds that occur at the same time

Question 11

what is sequential grouping

Answer 11

combining sequences of sounds overtime

Question 12

what is auditory stream segregation

Answer 12

this is the process of organising sounds over time into separate perceptual events

Question 13

what occurs when there is a similarity of pitch

Answer 13

often produced by the same source

when we increase frequency difference promotes stream segregation

Question 14

temporal proximity

Answer 14

sound that occur in a rapid progression are usually produced by the same source
in this case increasing presentation rate promotes stream segregation

Question 15

continuity

Answer 15

this is when sounds stay constant or change at a smooth rate - likely to be produced by the same source
perceived as continuous even when interrupted by sound

Question 16

The term ‘azimuth’ refers to which dimension of sound localisation?

Answer 16

left - right

Question 17

Artist Vincent van Gogh famously severed part of his left ear. What aspect of his ability to localise sound do you think was most likely to be affected?

Answer 17

elevation

Question 18

Which of the following cues is most helpful for localising the azimuth of low frequency sounds?

Answer 18

Interaural time differences

Question 19

A sound arrives at your ears with zero interaural time difference. Where could it have been located in space

Answer 19

Immediately in front of you, Immediately behind you, Immediately above your head