How sound localization help speech perception in noise?5 answersSound localization plays a crucial role in enhancing speech perception in noisy environments. Research has shown that accurate sound-source spatial location provides benefits for speech perception by aiding in auditory spatial cues for talker separation and localization, as well as facilitating the integration of visual speech information. Additionally, studies comparing cochlear implantation (CI) and contralateral routing of signal (CROS) hearing aids have demonstrated that CI significantly improves sound localization abilities, leading to superior speech perception in noise compared to CROS HAs. Furthermore, techniques like multiband frequency compression, which preserve the spectral distribution of energy in audio, have been shown to improve speech perception for individuals with sensorineural hearing loss without adversely affecting sound localization abilities.
How does weakened hearing ability affect the ability to locate sounds?4 answersWeakened hearing ability can have a negative impact on the ability to locate sounds. Hearing loss, whether due to sensorineural or conductive impairments, can affect the accuracy of sound localization. Studies have shown that individuals with hearing loss have poorer sensitivity to spatial cues and perform more poorly on tasks requiring selective auditory attention. The use of hearing devices such as hearing aids, bone-anchored hearing instruments, and cochlear implants can help improve audibility of speech signals but may not adequately preserve crucial localization cues. Factors such as the location of the microphone in hearing devices, signal bandwidth, equalization approaches, and processing delays can also impact localization abilities. Additionally, the salience of monaural spectral cues, which are important for sound localization, can be degraded in impaired auditory systems. Overall, weakened hearing ability can interfere with the ability to filter out sound sources based on location, leading to difficulties in communication and social situations.
How does the distance from a sound source affect the sound localization process in humans?5 answersThe distance from a sound source has little effect on overall sound localization in humans. However, the accuracy of subjective location perception is highest when the virtual sound source is at 0 degrees. Perception of virtual sound source directions at 15 degrees, 30 degrees, and 45 degrees is around 30 degrees, with the largest standard deviation at 45 degrees. Additionally, low-frequency interaural level differences (ILDs) are negligible acoustically, but humans are still sensitive to them. This sensitivity may be due to the fact that low-frequency ILDs become large and useful when sources are located near the head. Therefore, the distance from a sound source can affect the perception of interaural level differences and may play a role in sound localization in certain scenarios.
In what ways can sound waves be diffracted?5 answersSound waves can be diffracted in several ways. One way is through the use of a diffracted sound reduction device, which includes reproduction speakers, control speakers, and control filters to reduce the sound pressure of diffracted sound at control points. Another way is through the diffraction of sound waves by two orthogonal sound waves present simultaneously in a medium, which is equivalent to diffraction by the two waves present successively. Additionally, diffraction of sound waves on soft, hard, and impedance spheres can occur, with simple uniform asymptotic expansions describing the scattered wave outside the scatterer. These expansions can be interpreted in terms of image sources and align with classical results in appropriate limiting cases. Therefore, sound waves can be diffracted through the use of diffracted sound reduction devices, the presence of orthogonal sound waves, and interactions with spheres.
What are some common solution for indoor positioning using ultrasound?5 answersThere are several common solutions for indoor positioning using ultrasound. One approach is to deploy a set of beacons in the environment that emit ultrasonic signals, which can be received by mobile ultrasonic receivers to estimate their position. The use of multiple ultrasonic emitters allows for the determination of time differences of arrival (TDOA) between them and the receiver, which can be used to calculate position estimates. Fusion methods such as linear Kalman filters (LKF), adaptive Kalman filters (AKF), and extended Kalman filters (EKF) can be applied to merge the position estimates obtained from each ultrasonic emitter. Another solution involves exploiting the nonlinearity effect of smart devices' microphones to downconvert ultrasonic beacons to a low frequency, allowing ultrasound-incapable smart devices to receive and process ultrasonic signals for positioning. Additionally, ultrasound positioning systems can be used for indoor mobile robots, where ultrasound signals are emitted and received to calculate ultrasound propagation time and determine the robot's position. Ultrasound-based active localization systems that employ ultrasonic arrays and time-of-flight measurements have also been developed for accurate indoor positioning.
What is azimuth sound location?5 answersAzimuth sound location refers to the horizontal position of a sound source in relation to the listener. It is determined by the differences in the times of arrival and amplitudes of sounds at the two ears, as well as the direction-dependent acoustic filtering properties of the head and pinnae. This information is encoded in three separate and parallel pathways in the auditory system. In the human auditory cortex, neurons have been found to exhibit broad spatial tuning and a preference for the contralateral hemifield, suggesting a nonuniform sampling of sound azimuth. Computational models have also been developed to extract azimuthal location using binaural spectral level difference cues. The Wallach Azimuth Illusion is a phenomenon where listeners perceive a stationary sound source even though it is actually rotating on an azimuth circle around them, highlighting the multisystem nature of sound-source localization.