Effect of gaze direction on sound localization in rear space

The effect of eccentric eye position on the localization of sound in rear space was investigated using a two-alternative forced-choice method in combination with a visual fixation task. The azimuthal position of the rear sound was perceived as shifted slightly (mean 1.2 degrees) to the left of the subjects' median plane when fixation was 30 degrees to the right, or to the right when fixation was 30 degrees to the left. Combined with previous studies on localization in frontal space, this finding suggests that eye-position signals influence processing of binaural, but nor monaural spectral, cues for directional hearing. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd and the Japan Neuroscience Society. All rights reserved.