Article

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. METHOD: 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 degrees
to 35 degrees in front of the participant among all conditions. At the periphery,
-70 degrees and 70 degrees , 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. CONCLUSION: 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].

Langue : ANGLAIS