Effect of gaze direction on sound localization in rear space

The effect of eccentric eye position on the localization of sound in rear s pace was investigated using a two-alternative forced-choice method in combi nation with a visual fixation task. The azimuthal position of the rear soun d was perceived as shifted slightly (mean 1.2 degrees) to the left of the s ubjects' median plane when fixation was 30 degrees to the right, or to the right when fixation was 30 degrees to the left. Combined with previous stud ies on localization in frontal space, this finding suggests that eye-positi on signals influence processing of binaural, but nor monaural spectral, cue s for directional hearing. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd and the Ja pan Neuroscience Society. All rights reserved.