Ability by which the blind can recognize surrounding objects solely by hearing, is called "obstacle sense". By analyzing and modeling its mechanism, the model will be utilized for realizing an acoustic VR environment as well as training systems for the vision-impaired through acoustic analysis. In this study, the authors particularly focused on various sorts of acoustic factors which may contribute to perceive the distance from the subject to the obstacle especially in walking. We also investigated the factors based on the psychophysical experiments and acoustical analysis methods. In addition, the authors discussed the contribution of these factors to the blinds' auditory distance perception.

Authors: Ifukube, Tohru; Ino, Shuichi; Miura, Takahiro; Muraoka, Teruo
Affiliation: University of Tokyo
AES Convention: 122 (May 2007) Paper Number: 7033
Publication Date: May 1, 2007
Subject: Psychoacoustics, Perception, and Listening Tests

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