Rodent Sound Localization and Spatial Hearing

Sound localization and directional hearing are fundamental for rodents to successfully navigate their environment, detect predators and prey, and locate conspecifics. In this chapter, the cues available to rodents for localizing and discriminating sounds in space are reviewed, including interaural level and timing differences and spectral cues. The neural circuits supporting sound localization are also introduced. Sound localization acuity and directional hearing behavior in azimuth and elevation that have been measured in terrestrial and subterranean rodent species are compared. Due to the limited scope of behavioral testing performed in most rodent species to date, binaural evoked potential studies that have been used to probe directional hearing in rodents are also considered as an alternative to labor-intensive behavioral measures. Finally, the trends observed across species are summarized and areas for future study are suggested.