Sound and stereoscopic 3D: Examining the effects of sound on depth perception in stereoscopic 3D

Prior work focusing on 2D visuals primarily suggests that sound has a significant impact on visual perception. However, little work has considered what, if any, effects sound, including its spatial positioning and the addition of various auditory effects, have on our perception of stereoscopic 3D (S3D) imagery. Here we present the results of two experiments that were conducted to examine the effects of sound and various auditory conditions on stereoscopic 3D depth perception within a virtual (game) environment. Our results reveal that sound can have a significant effect on S3D depth perception. Results suggest that asynchronous audio-visual interactions, the type of sound, and various audio effects can influence distance perception within a virtual environment that incorporates S3D viewing. Our results have implications for game designers, who, with the appropriate use of sound and S3D interactions, can improve the player's experience within stereoscopic 3D-based virtual environments.