title: Where did that sound come from? Comparing the ability to localise using audification and audition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  A prototype device was developed to allow individuals to hear ultrasound reflections off environmental obstacles. Previous studies have shown that this device allows for better distance judgement than audition and allows for effective passage through the centreline of apertures. The purpose of this research was to evaluate audification as a method to localise direct sound sources as compared to audition.
  
  
  METHODS
  In an anechoic environment, participants localised point-sound sources for three conditions: auditory, audified ultrasound with receivers facing laterally, and audified ultrasound with receivers facing forward.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Azimuth localisation was similar within a range of -35° to 35° in front of the participant among all conditions. At the periphery, -70° and 70°, audified ultrasound was more accurate than audition for novice participants. No difference was evident in user elevation accuracy for these signals among the different conditions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Audification of ultrasound can be effective for localising point-source sounds in the azimuth direction, but more evidence is required to evaluate accuracy in the vertical direction. [Box: see text].
authors.affiliation: University of Auckland, Mechanical Engineering, Auckland, New Zealand. c.davies@auckland.ac.nz
authors.forename: T Claire
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: Shane D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Pinder
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Dodd
authors.forename: Catherine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Burns
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004777:Environment; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006310:Hearing Aids; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008328:Man-Machine Systems; D008875:Middle Aged; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D013017:Sound Localization; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D055815:Young Adult