Why does sound sometimes seemingly come from a different direction than from the source itself, especially while outside?

Question

Why does sound sometimes seemingly come from a different direction than from the source itself, especially while outside?

In: Other

Answer 1

Your brain can use subtle differences in timing and sound between your left and right ear to position sound in way that is similar to how your brain uses information from two eyes to understand depth. Sound can reflect off surfaces and those reflections can cause changes that confuse your brains ability to position the source of the sound.