Abstract
Previous research has repeatedly shown that people can find a visual target significantly faster if spatial (3D) auditory
displays direct attention to the corresponding spatial location. However, previous research has only examined searches
for static (non-moving) targets in static visual environments. Since motion has been shown to affect visual acuity,
auditory acuity, and visual search performance, it is important to characterize aurally-aided search performance in
environments that contain dynamic (moving) stimuli. In the present study, visual search performance in both static and
dynamic environments is investigated with and without 3D auditory cues. Eight participants searched for a single visual
target hidden among 15 distracting stimuli. In the baseline audio condition, no auditory cues were provided. In the 3D
audio condition, a virtual 3D sound cue originated from the same spatial location as the target. In the static search
condition, the target and distractors did not move. In the dynamic search condition, all stimuli moved on various
trajectories at 10 deg/s. The results showed a clear benefit of 3D audio that was present in both static and dynamic
environments, suggesting that spatial auditory displays continue to be an attractive option for a variety of aircraft, motor
vehicle, and command & control applications.
