Headphones create the perception of internal head-localized auditory events due to pinna cues
the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
confidence 89/100
Headphones can recreate the perception of auditory events localized inside or outside the head because signals are filtered by directional cues such as the pinnae, commonly modeled through head-related transfer functions (HRTFs).
Evidence for · 4
Contribution of Head Shadow and Pinna Cues to Chronic Monaural Sound Localization
2004 · cited by 166
Studies indicate that monaural listeners rely on spectral pinna cues to localize sounds, which relates directly to how head-related cues affect auditory localization.
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More for · 3
Pilot Data for a New Headphone-Based Assessment of Absolute Localization in the Assessment of Auditory Processing Disorder (APD)
2025 · cited by 1
Demonstrates that headphone-based sound localization utilizing head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) successfully simulates spatial auditory events.
Auditory spatial assessment in real and virtual environments: a scoping review of current evidence and future directions
2026 · cited by 0
Reviews virtual auditory displays and confirms that head-tracked headphone rendering with individualized HRTFs replicates spatial acoustic cues like pinna interactions.
Auditory externalization in hearing-impaired listeners: the effect of pinna cues and number of talkers.
2012 · cited by 0
Examines how altering or reducing pinna cues contributes to the perceptual internalization of sound sources when listening via headphones or hearing aids.