Auditory distance perception by translating observers

Abstract

The authors consider auditory distance perception of a moving observer and its relevance for the perception of stationary and moving sources. They begin with a review of some of the acoustic cues to source distance, focusing on the dynamic cues available under observer translation (motion parallax and acoustic tau). They report an experiment indicating the level of accuracy with which stationary and translating observers are able to localize stationary sources from 2 to 6 m away. Given the significant errors associated with these near distances, it would appear that the perceptual assessment of the 3-D trajectory of a real or virtual source, especially a distant one, is likely to be substantially in error. Even so, motion parallax and acoustic tau are informative about the relative motion between observer and source.<>