Final answer:
We localize sound using monaural and binaural cues, such as interaural time difference and interaural intensity difference, processed by auditory nuclei in the brain stem. Ambiguities in sound localization are addressed by the subtle processing abilities of the auditory brain stem. Binaural cues are essential for accurately determining the direction of sound.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process of localizing sound involves both monaural and binaural cues. Our auditory system uses these cues to determine where a sound is coming from. Monaural cues are those that can be perceived by one ear alone, while binaural cues require information from both ears. For example, if a sound source is to the left, the sound will arrive at the left ear slightly before the right and will be louder in the left ear due to the head blocking some of the sound waves reaching the right ear. These differences are processed by central auditory nuclei in the brain stem and involve calculating interaural time difference and interaural intensity difference.
When there are ambiguities in sound localization, the auditory system may face challenges in precisely identifying the sound source direction. These ambiguities can occur in complex sound environments or with sounds at certain frequencies that do not provide clear interaural differences. The auditory brain stem's ability to process subtle differences in sound intensity and timing can help overcome these ambiguities, leading to accurate sound localization in most cases.