Auditory localization with headworn devices is usually thought to depend on how well the devices maintain the acoustic cues associated with the head-related transfer function (HRTF). Localization accuracy in azimuth is believed to depend primarily on the preservation of interaural time delays and interaural level differences. Localization accuracy in elevation is believed to depend primarily on the preservation of the direction-dependent spectral cues introduced by the outer ear or pinna. However, our laboratory has found many where localization accuracy with headworn devices has not been consistent with our expectations based on the system-produced HRTFs. We will discuss some of these exceptions and possible factors that might cause listeners to localize more poorly than expected when the acoustic HRTF at the eardrum is relatively well-preserved. We also will discuss factors that might influence real-world localization performance that are not consistently considered in standardized evaluations of head-worn devices. [The Views expressed in this abstract are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Department of Defense or the U.S. Government
Brungart et al. (Wed,) studied this question.