Echolocating distance by moving and stationary listeners

It has long been known that human listeners can echolocate a sound-reflecti ng surface as they walk toward it. There is also evidence that stationary l isteners can determine the location, shape, and material of nearby surfaces from reflected sound. This research tested whether there is an advantage o f listener movement for echolocating as has been found for localization of emitted sounds. Blindfolded participants were asked to echolocate a 3 x 6 f t wall while either moving or remaining stationary. After echolocating, the wall was removed, and participants were asked to walk to where the wall ha d been. Results showed that participants were somewhat more accurate with m oving than stationary echolocation for some distances. A follow-up experime nt confirmed that this moving advantage was not a function of a specific ty pe of training or the multiple stationary positions available during moving echolocation. This subtle moving advantage might be a function of echoic t ime-to arrival information.