A review on recent advances in sound source localization techniques, challenges, and applications

• Overview of signal processing techniques in SSL • Applications of SSL in bioacoustics, wind turbines, and speech enhancement • Challenges in SSL accuracy in reverberant, noise, and multi-source environments • Advances in bio-inspired SSL designs and energy-efficient wake-up technologies Sound source localization (SSL) plays a crucial role in acoustic sensing, with applications ranging from environmental monitoring and biomedical diagnostics to industrial automation. However, achieving accurate and precise SSL in complex and dynamic acoustic environments remains a challenge. Recent advances in acoustic sensors and signal processing techniques have significantly improved SSL performance, accuracy, efficiency, and robustness in real-world conditions. This review presents these developments, emphasizing the role of SSL in bioacoustics for wildlife tracking, wind turbine noise assessment, and speech enhancement. Key challenges, such as localization in reverberant and remote acoustic environments, are discussed alongside emerging solutions, including bio-mimetic micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) microphone and energy-efficient wake-up technologies. By analyzing current trends, challenges, and technological progress, this review provides insights into the future of SSL as a key component of modern intelligent sensing systems.