Development of a device to measure human sound localization

Measurements of human sound discrimination and localization are important for basic empirical and clinical applications. After a short survey of other methods such as evoked potentials, the development of a new device to measure human sound localization is described and its use illustrated with some examples. Built from a polyacrylic hemisphere or--in a later version--from an orbicular aluminum frame, the apparatus uses multiple speakers to emit auditory stimuli. The patient sits in the middle of the perimeter and has to press a button when a sound is perceived. In addition, the participant has to identify the correct speaker as the source of the sound. With this method it is possible to map the auditory field.