Two-dimensional shape discrimination by sighted people using simulated virtual echoes

In this study, a new research method using psychoacoustic experiments and acoustic simulations is proposed for human echolocation research. A shape discrimination experiment was conducted for sighted people using pitch-converted virtual echoes from targets of dissimilar two-dimensional (2D) shapes. These echoes were simulated using a three-dimensional acoustic simulation based on a finite-difference time-domain method from Bossy, Talmat, and Laugier [(2004). J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 115, 2314–2324]. The experimental and simulation results suggest that the echo timbre and pitch determined based on the sound interference may be effective acoustic cues for 2D shape discrimination. The newly developed research method may lead to more efficient future studies of human echolocation.