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. 2022 May 14:9:101727.
doi: 10.1016/j.mex.2022.101727. eCollection 2022.

A system for spatial hearing research

Arivudai Nambi Pitchai Muthu  1 , Hasna Fathima  1   2 , Vibha Kanagokar  1 , Jayashree S Bhat  3 , Sathish Kumar  1
Affiliations

A system for spatial hearing research

Arivudai Nambi Pitchai Muthu et al. MethodsX. .

Abstract

The spatial hearing experiments can be simulated using high-fidelity headphones. But these simulated experiments do not account for individual variations and are difficult to investigate when the listener is wearing hearing devices. Hence, the free-field systems are ideal for spatial hearing experiments. However, these systems are not readily available and must be customized based on experimental needs. This paper provides a brief overview of a spatial hearing research facility that is customized to perform experiments on individuals with normal hearing and hearing aid users. •This setup enables the assessment of spatial acuity with 10⁰ precision in the horizontal plane.•The laboratory's universal design enables modifications based on experimental needs with minimum effort.•The signal processing and response acquisition systems are custom designed using MATLAB.

Keywords: Binaural hearing; Sound localization; Spatial hearing lab.

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Figures

Image, graphical abstract
Graphical abstract
Fig. 1
Fig. 1
The floor plan of the lab represents the loudspeaker array, subject placement, personal computer, and audio interfaces.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
The upper, middle and lower panels depict the minimum, maximum and RMS values of one-third octave band ambient noise levels measured in the experimental room.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
One octave band reverberation time is represented in a solid line and their corresponding early decay time is represented in a dashed line.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Thirty-six loudspeakers positioned on a circular stand installed in the laboratory.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Frequency response of Avantone Mixcube speaker without equalization (dotted line) and after equalization (dashed line). The levels at 1 kHz were normalized to 0 dB.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Frequency response of three different speakers after equalization and the levels are normalized at 1 kHz to 0 dB.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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