Release from masking in virtual auditory space during sustained positive acceleration.

The use of a three-dimensional (3-D) auditory display to significantly lower subject detection level while maintaining comprehension under sustained positive G-stress was explored in this study.Auditory threshold levels were measured for detecting a band limited pulsed signal in the presence of a broadband diotic masker at both + 1 Gz (rest position) and under sustained +3 Gz. The pulsed signal was presented diotically and was spatialized at one of four static azimuth positions on the horizontal plane.Results showed that auditory thresholds were not significantly affected by sustained +3 Gz stress. Compared with a diotic presentation, subjects reached an average of 6.8 dB lower auditory threshold at +1 Gz and under sustained +3 Gz when the pulsed signal was spatialized at a static position of 90 degrees azimuth on the horizontal plane.The implication of these results and suggestions for further research are discussed.