Control of Perceived Room Size Using Simple Binaural Technology

Abstract

The localization of auditory images and their size forms the bulk of the research literature in spatial auditory perception using binaural technology. Nevertheless, binaural technology conveys many other spatial characteristics of sound environments, and the present paper is concerned with one of these: auditory room size perception. This paper reviews the potential cues to room size perception conveyed through simple binaural technology. Statistical room acoustics is shown to provide indications of room size through energy relations between direct sound, early reflections and late reflections. However, binaural hearing could be important in distinguishing the concept of room size from source distance. These theoretical notions are considered in relation to experimental findings on room size perception using simple binaural technology.