The concept of interaural timing difference is illustrated by a diagram showing sound waves from an off-center source, like jets, traveling towards a listener. The image depicts arced sound waves reaching a human head, with arrows indicating the path to each ear. This visual representation clarifies how sound waves travel a slightly longer distance to the farther ear, resulting in a small delay in arrival time.

Visual Example of Interaural Timing Difference

The interaural timing difference refers to the small delay between the time a given sound wave arrives at one ear and the time it arrives at the other. This cue for sound localization arises because a sound from an off-center source must travel a slightly longer distance to reach the farther ear.

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There are two types of binaural cues:
1. Interaural Level Difference
2. Interaural Timing Difference 

Types of Binaural Cues

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

The interaural level difference is the disparity in the intensity of a sound wave as it arrives at each ear. A sound originating from an off-center location will be more intense at the closer ear because the head obstructs and attenuates the sound wave before it can reach the farther ear.

Interaural Level Difference

Interaural Timing Difference

Imagine you are standing in a field when a bird chirps directly to your left. Your brain is able to pinpoint the bird's location because the sound wave arrives at your left ear a fraction of a second before it reaches your right ear. This specific method of sound localization is an example of which auditory cue?

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