Head and torso simulators capture spatial cues with microphones at eardrum locations

Evidence

The microphone required to capture these directional and spatial details is an anatomically correct dummy head and torso, a mannequin. Tiny microphones are placed at the eardrum locations at the ends of ear canals inside the dummy head, including an acoustical termination that simulates the sound reflecting properties of a real eardrum. Because we are all anatomically different, the external ears (pinnae) are interchangeable and can even be customized to match a particular listener. These head and torso simulators (HATS) are widely used for measuring headphones (Chapter 15) and for various other research purposes. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 283

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines what a HATS (head and torso simulator) is and how it captures binaural cues.