Sound Localization with Phase Audiometry

Abstract

A 500 Hz pure tone is presented binaurally with earphones. The tone is adjusted to give a midline impression at comfortable loudness level. An electronic variable time delay line unit and a generator for randomizing the shift of the phase lag of the signal to the right or to the left ear, respectively, are used. By shortening the time delay the threshold of the recognition of the phase difference is reached. At every test sequence the tone is first presented in the center of the head without delay and then with delay. The patient runs the test by indicating in which ear the tone is heard. The phase difference is thus gradually reduced from 500 μsec down to a threshold value of about 48 μsec equal on right and left ears in normal-hearing subjects. The results of phase audiometry on subjects with normal hearing and with different types of hearing losses are in good agreement with the results of sound localization tests in free field. Phase audiometry seems to be of especial value in diagnosing retrocochlear lesions.