Stability of central binaural sound localization mechanisms in mammals, and the Heffner hypothesis

► We review the neurophysiological and behavioural data related to the evolution of spatial hearing ► All mammals have inherited a single set of mechanisms for coding dichotic sound localization cues. ► Species differences in localization acuity do not result from variation in coding of sound cues. ► High acuity perceptual decisions are based selectively on the most informative neural responses. ► Fidelity of binaural spatial coding in the mammalian central auditory system is as fine as it can get.