One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for transmitting an audio event to an ear of a user. The technique includes acquiring sensor data associated with the ear of the user and analyzing the sensor data to determine a position of the ear. The technique further includes determining a speaker orientation based on the position of the ear and a location of a shoulder-mounted speaker. The technique further includes causing the shoulder-mounted speaker to transmit the audio event to the ear of the user based on the speaker orientation.