An introduction to binaural processing

The binaural auditory system performs a number of astonishing functions, such as precise localization of sound sources, analysis of auditory scenes, segregation of auditory streams, providing situational awareness in reflective environments, suppression of reverberance, noise and coloration, enhancement of desired talkers over undesired ones, providing spatial impression and the sense of immersion. These functions are of profound interest for technological application and, hence, the subject of increasing engineering efforts. Generic application areas for binaural algorithms are, among others, aural virtual environments, hearing aids, assessment of product-sound quality, room acoustics, speech technology, audio technology, robotic ears, and tools for research into auditory physiology and aural perception. This introductory chapter starts with a discussion of the performance of binaural hearing and then lists relevant areas for technological application. After a short presentation of the physiological background, signal-processing algorithms as applied to binaural modeling are described. These signal-processing algorithms are manifold, but can be roughly divided into localization models and detection models. Both approaches are discussed in some detail. The chapter is meant to serve as an introduction to the main body of the book