Evaluation of the effect of head-mounted display on individualized head-related transfer functions

Maria Cuevas-Rodriguez, David Lou Alon, Samuel W. Clapp, Philip W. Robinson, Ravish Mehra

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

Head Mounted Displays (HMDs) have become popular for acoustic experiments, such as perceptual comparison of virtual and real sound sources, or Head Related Transfer Function (HRTF) measurement. However, wearing an HMD while listening to real sound sources modifies the sound waves that reaches the listener's ears. In this work, we study the effect of HMDs on individualized HRTFs. We have collected acoustic HRTF measurements, with and without the HMD, from 24 human participants and a manikin head, over 612 directions (including different azimuth and elevation angles). An objective evaluation indicates that, although there are frequency-dependent directional regions where the distortion caused by the HMD is higher, other regions are less affected by the HMD. A MUSHRA test with 15 subjects compares individualized HRTFs and a generic HRTF, measured with and without HMD. The perceptual evaluation reveals a significant effect of the HMD on the measured individualized HRTF, but it also shows that this effect is significantly smaller than the difference between individualized HRTFs and a generic HRTF, as indicated by the objective evaluation. This implies that, although distorted by the presence of the HMD, some of the individualized HRTF characteristics might be preserved when the HMD is worn.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 23rd International Congress on Acoustics
Subtitle of host publicationIntegrating 4th EAA Euroregio 2019
EditorsMartin Ochmann, Vorlander Michael, Janina Fels
PublisherInternational Commission for Acoustics (ICA)
Pages2635-2642
Number of pages8
ISBN (Electronic)9783939296157
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2019
Externally publishedYes
Event23rd International Congress on Acoustics: Integrating 4th EAA Euroregio, ICA 2019 - Aachen, Germany
Duration: 9 Sep 201923 Sep 2019

Publication series

NameProceedings of the International Congress on Acoustics
Volume2019-September
ISSN (Print)2226-7808
ISSN (Electronic)2415-1599

Conference

Conference23rd International Congress on Acoustics: Integrating 4th EAA Euroregio, ICA 2019
Country/TerritoryGermany
CityAachen
Period9/09/1923/09/19

Keywords

  • 3D-audio
  • Head-related transfer function

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Acoustics and Ultrasonics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Evaluation of the effect of head-mounted display on individualized head-related transfer functions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this