Headphone experiments measure binaural summation by stimulating each ear independently

Evidence

Psychoacoustic experiments that use headphones provide a unique opportunity to test the advantages of having two ears over one, as each ear can be stimulated independently from the other. Investigators have used this approach to assess whether detection and discrimination thresholds are better when tested using two ears vs. one ear. These experiments all test binaural summation abilities, or the ability to utilize information from both ears as a means of improving performance. — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 1427

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines binaural summation as the ability to use information from both ears to improve performance, distinct from free-field binaural effects.