Estimation of Spectral Notches From Pinna Meshes: Insights From a Simple Computational Model

Abstract

While previous research on spatial sound perception investigated the physical mechanisms producing the most relevant elevation cues, how spectral notches are generated and related to the individual morphology of the human pinna is still a topic of debate. Correctly modeling these important elevation cues, and in particular the lowest frequency notches, is an essential step for individualizing Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs).In this paper we propose a simple computational model able to predict the center frequencies of pinna notches from ear meshes. We apply such a model to a highly controlled HRTF dataset built with the specific purpose of understanding the contribution of the pinna to the HRTF. Results show that the computational model is able to approximate the lowest frequency notch with improved accuracy with respect to other state-of-the-art methods. By contrast, the model fails to predict higher-order pinna notches correctly. The proposed approximation supplements understanding of the morphology involved in generating spectral notches in experimental HRTFs.

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“…By analyzing unique acoustic cues humans are able to localize sounds in vertical space, although vertical localization has lower resolution than horizontal localization, where interaural cues play a major role [132]. The understanding of the spectral cues responsible for vertical localization was enhanced by a number of investigations [133][134][135][136][137][138]. Particularly, Hebrank and Wright proved that spectral cues for vertical localization occur between 4 and 16 kHz and that a sound must be located within this frequency range to be localized vertically.…”