BINAURAL ARC Meaning and
Definition
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Binaural arc refers to a phenomenon in auditory perception related to the interpretation of sound direction. It is the perceived arc in three-dimensional space that a sound source appears to traverse when moving from one side of an individual's head to the other. The term "binaural" indicates that this phenomenon relies on the ability of humans to localize sound using both ears.
When a sound wave reaches the ear, it arrives at one ear slightly before the other due to the difference in distance between the sound source and each ear. The brain processes these time differences as well as the differences in sound intensity and timbre to determine the location of the sound source. As the sound source moves from one side of the individual's head to the other, the perceived location of the sound also appears to move along a curved trajectory in space, creating the binaural arc.
The binaural arc is essential for sound localization, allowing humans to accurately perceive the direction and distance of a sound source. This phenomenon is employed during binaural recordings and virtual reality simulations to enhance the perception of spatial sound. By recreating the binaural arc accurately, these technologies can create an immersive and realistic auditory experience for the listener or user.
Overall, the term "binaural arc" encompasses the perceived trajectory of a sound source as it moves from one side to the other, as well as the underlying physiological and perceptual processes that enable its localization in three-dimensional space.
