Abstract:
Previous studies have shown that, with training, subjects can learn a new
relationship between spatial auditory stimuli and location [Shinn-Cunningham et
al., J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 92, 2334(A) (1994); 95, 2896(A) (1994)]. These earlier
studies involved training in which subjects turned to face a heard and seen
target source, followed by testing using a simple forced-choice identification
paradigm. In the current study, subject localization was tested using a
head-pointing response method. The amount of visual information available to the
subject during training and testing was systematically varied. It was found that
when subjects were blindfolded, they showed no changes in localization
performance over time; however, if subjects were provided with a visual field,
adaptation was achieved. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that
the felt position of the head is not an adequate cue to allow subjects to
relearn localization responses, but that the addition of the visual field
provides more robust information about the instantaneous position of the head so
that learning can take place. [Work supported by the AFOSR.] [sup