Final answer:
The ability to spatially locate sounds is achieved through central processing in the auditory nuclei of the brain stem, using interaural time and intensity differences, as well as monaural cues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mechanisms of Sound Localization
The mechanisms used to locate a sound spatially involve central processing in the auditory nuclei of the brain stem. We utilize binaural cues such as the interaural time difference and the interaural intensity difference to determine the direction of sound. A sound will typically hit one ear before the other and will also be louder at the ear closer to the sound source. The medullary nuclei of the auditory system process these differences to help us localize sounds in the horizontal plane. This sensory ability is crucial in helping us understand our environment and navigate through space.
In addition to these binaural cues, monaural cues (those that involve only one ear) can also provide spatial information about sounds, although they are not as precise as the combined cues from both ears. The brain compares the slight differences in the time and intensity with which sound reaches each ear to construct a spatial understanding of the sound's origin.