The pinna’s folded shape encodes sound direction as spectral echoes

Evidence

It seems to follow from the very blueprint of our auditory system that much of what we call “hearing” has to do with the internal bureaucracy of the auditory planet. The structure of our hearing equipment to some extent already fashions the sounds we hear. — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 561 (#expands, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: The pinna’s low-frequency notch shifts upward in frequency as sound source elevates; Individual pinnae shapes make spatial hearing uniquely personal and learned; Sound localization from pinna cues is learned and specific to each person’s ear shape. (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• The pinna’s low-frequency notch shifts upward in frequency as sound source elevates #expands (0.88)
• Head-related transfer functions encode how the head and pinna shape spatial hearing #expands (0.85)
• The physical structure of the ear itself shapes and constructs perceived sound #expands (0.82) — George Michelsen Foy, Zero Decibels, 561
• Sound localization from pinna cues is learned and specific to each person’s ear shape. #expands (0.80)
• Individual pinnae shapes make spatial hearing uniquely personal and learned #expands (0.75)
• Hearing impairment makes fine high-frequency pinna cues imperceptible #qualifies (0.75)
• Outer and middle ear structures provide frequency-specific amplification of incoming sound #expands (0.72) — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 212