11/14/03
Welcome!
The goal of Dr. Gilkey's research is to specify the mechanisms underlying
sound localization and masking. Understanding sound localization is an important
step in the development of efficient 3-dimensional auditory displays and
compelling virtual environments. The study of masking has important implications
for basic auditory theory, for the specification and optimization of human
performance in noisy environments, and for the problems of individuals with
impaired hearing. These research projects include both free-field and
headphone-based experiments on localization and masking, and modeling efforts
examining neural networks and traditional signal processing models of audition.
Dr. Gilkey's research is conducted in the Signal Detection
Laboratory at Wright State and in the Auditory Localization Facility of the
Air Force Research Laborartory(AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The Signal Detection Laboratory
contains four sound-isolated booths for subject testing. Experiments are
controlled by two personal computers with specialized audio hardware capable
of generating 8 channels of CD-quality sound. A well-equipped audio rack includes
instrumentation necessary for stimulus control and measurement. Four high-end
workstations with 14 gigabytes of disk storage, and two Xterminals, are used
for
data analysis, graphics, and modeling. The Auditory Localization Facility at AFRL consists of a 14-foot geodesic sphere with 277 high
fidelity speakers, housed in an 8,000 cu. ft. anechoic chamber. Special
switching hardware allows from 1 to 15 individual sounds to be presented from
arbitrary spatial locations. Extensive instrumentation is available for
experiment control and stimulus measurement.
