Head-pointing sound localization task
 In each trial, a single auditory target (3 s white noise burst) was presented from 8 possible pre-determined positions (5 repetitions each, resulting in 40 trials in each testing phase). The 8 positions were placed at 55 cm from the center of the subject’s head and they varied along the azimuth dimension (± 22.5° and ± 67.5° with respect to the midsagittal plane) and vertical dimension (5° and − 15° with respect to the plane passing through the ears). The variation along the vertical dimension was introduce only to increase variability in the task, and we did not expect training-related changes in this dimension in which sound localization relies on monaural spectra cues. For this reason, we did not analyze performance along the vertical dimension or have hypothesis about participants errors along the vertical plane. While listening the sound, participants were not informed about the pre-determined target positions and were immersed in an empty virtual room (identical size to the real room, i.e., 3.6 m × 3.9 m, height 2.7 m). Participants were instructed to point with their head toward the perceived sound position, as soon as the sound finished, and validate their response using the VR controller they held in their right hand (Fig. 