Auditory sound localization is the ability to identify the position of a sound source in space. It is defined into 3 dimensions: by its position in azimuth, elevation and distance. If it is difficult to localize a sound source, it is possible to remove the localization ambiguity by interacting with the environment, in particular by changing one's position in relation to the source (e.g. by changing the orientation of the head).
Patients with schizophrenia have difficulties to localize and discriminate sounds in space but it is still poorly explored.
Additionally, deficits in auditory localization could underlie difficulties in source-monitoring (i.e., distinguish the source/origin of the information) reported in schizophrenia or deficits in auditory externalization (i.e., perception of sound outside the head).
Furthermore, schizophrenia is characterized by cerebral abnormalities in the auditory cortex, manifesting as auditory processing disorders at different stages of the pathology. Auditory localization may therefore be impaired from the onset of a first psychotic episode (FEP). This early phase of the disease is also referred to as the "critical" period, as the chances of remission are highest and the response to treatment is best. However, the three-dimensional aspect of auditory perception and the behavioral exploration strategies used to localize a sound in the early stages of schizophrenia are still little studied.