Interaural Level Difference

Interaural Level Difference (ILD) is a key cue our brain uses to locate where a sound is coming from. When a sound reaches one ear, it’s often louder and clearer than in the other ear, especially if it’s on one side. This difference in sound intensity between the two ears helps us determine the direction of the source. ILD is particularly useful for detecting sounds at higher frequencies, where shadows created by the head cause significant level disparities. By comparing these differences, our brain can accurately identify the location of sounds in our environment.