<P> The azimuth of a sound is signaled by the difference in arrival times between the ears, by the relative amplitude of high - frequency sounds (the shadow effect), and by the asymmetrical spectral reflections from various parts of our bodies, including torso, shoulders, and pinnae . </P> <P> The distance cues are the loss of amplitude, the loss of high frequencies, and the ratio of the direct signal to the reverberated signal . </P> <P> Depending on where the source is located, our head acts as a barrier to change the timbre, intensity, and spectral qualities of the sound, helping the brain orient where the sound emanated from . These minute differences between the two ears are known as interaural cues . </P> <P> Lower frequencies, with longer wavelengths, diffract the sound around the head forcing the brain to focus only on the phasing cues from the source . </P>

How are we able to distinguish between high and low pitched sounds