Towards the virtualization of a sound source localization accuracy test to aid the diagnosis of spatial processing disorder in school-aged children: An experimental approach (vor Ort)
* Presenting author
Abstract:
The spatial processing disorder (SPD) is an auditory processing disorder characterized as a reduced ability to use binaural cues to localize, segregate, and group sound sources in the space selectively. It affects up to 5% of the school-aged population, impairing the normal development of their listening, learning, and communication skills. Sound source localization accuracy is one of the most relevant measures for diagnosing auditory processing disorders such as SPD. However, it is not often assessed in pediatric audiology because the required measurement setups are rather complex and expensive. This work presents the conceptualization, development, and preliminary results of a series of three listening experiments in augmented- and virtual reality to assess the feasibility of a child-appropriate virtual binaural sound source localization test. The series of experiments were controlled by replacing each test component with its virtual counterpart at a time. Future studies will further evaluate the feasibility and sensibility of the system presented in this study. If successful, such a sound source localization accuracy test presented over standalone head-mounted displays (HMDs) could scale into a portable, widely accessible, and inexpensive tool to assess childrens' spatial listening abilities and aid the SPD diagnosis.
