Cutaneous sound localization.

Abstract
Cutaneous sound localization when stimuli were delivered to the skin through a pair of vibrators was compared with auditory localization when stimuli were presented through earphones. Auditory localization was more precise for random noise bursts than for low-frequency tones. Cutaneous localization, however, was as accurate for the tone as for the noise stimuli. Comparisons between modalities revealed that cutaneous localization of low tones was a great deal more precise than auditory localization of low tones. Localization of noise bursts, however, was slightly more accurately performed by the ears than by the skin, as was the case with 1-msec. clicks. Independent manipulation of intensity- and temporal-difference cues revealed that auditory localization was influenced by both types of cue. Cutaneous localization was found to depend mainly on intensity differences. Small time-difference effects were observed, however, and were found to depend on the locus of stimulation.