Soundscape

An auditory environment where multiple spatialized sounds represent objects or landmarks in all directions around a listener, creating an acoustic representation of physical space. In accessibility applications, soundscapes use spatial audio technology to make virtual objects emit characteristic sounds from their real-world positions, allowing people with visual impairments to perceive and mentally map their surroundings through hearing. Unlike spotlight systems that only present sounds from a front-facing cone, soundscapes provide 360-degree environmental awareness, supporting cognitive map formation and improvisational navigation when routes are disrupted.