Sound localization ability in a median plane varies among individuals. We analyzed the relationship between the ability and pinna shape features, such as a pinna length and a pinna angle, which are invariants for sound directions. We hypothesize that the pinna shape features should depend on sound directions, because the ability is different in sound directions in a median plane. Therefore, we use the specular reflection shape method for 3D shape models with light directions. The method is applied by sound directions replacing light directions and the vision point replacing the hearing point to apply to pinna shape features. We analyze the relationship between sound localization ability and the specular reflection shape feature descriptors. We find that the specular reflection shape method is related to sound localization ability in a median plane, and the earlobe transformation and the head movements modify the sound localization ability.

Authors: Shibata, Tatsuya; Watanabe, Yuko; Michishita, Akito
Affiliations: Tokyo Denki University; Adachi, Tokyo, Japan; Route Theta, Chiba, Japan(See document for exact affiliation information.)
AES Conference: 2018 AES International Conference on Spatial Reproduction - Aesthetics and Science (July 2018)
Paper Number: EB1-5
Publication Date: July 30, 2018 Import into BibTeX
Session Subject: Sound localization; Pinna shape features; Median plane
Permalink: https://www.aes.org/e-lib/browse.cfm?elib=19645

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