The loudness difference between the two ears is greatest when the sound source is
A) directly behind the listener's head.
B) directly in front of the listener.
C) a long distance away.
D) well off to one side.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The loudness difference between the two ears is greatest when the sound source is well off to one side. This is because the head acts as an obstacle which causes sound waves to diffract differently around the head, creating a "shadow" zone on the side opposite to the sound source. This results in a greater intensity of sound at the ear closest to the source, resulting in a greater loudness difference between the two ears. When the sound source is directly in front of or behind the listener, there is minimal loudness difference between the two ears. When the sound source is a long distance away, there is no significant difference in loudness between the two ears.

The Loudness Difference Between the Two Ears Is Greatest When