Some Effects of Interaural Phase Differences on the Perception of Pure Tones

Abstract

54 naive observers were asked to report whether they could hear a difference between 2 successive tones which differed only in respect to which ear was leading in phase angle. They were given no specific suggestions, but were asked what they had heard. Two intensities, 8 frequencies, and 7 phase leads were used. The major conclusions are: Interaural phase difference thresholds computed from group data show approx. the same magnitude of threshold as those computed from other methods and indicate that a constant time difference between maxima in the stimulating wave is necessary independent of frequency up to the frequency at which phase discrimination breaks down; all observers experienced a localization effect as a result of interaural phase differences, although most observers identified the effect as a difference in which ear was being stimulated rather than a difference in the apparent location of a sound source; pitch differences are fairly common and loudness differences less common as a result of interaural phase differences.