diff --git a/spatial_scene.py b/spatial_scene.py
index 0e65325..772cf82 100644
--- a/spatial_scene.py
+++ b/spatial_scene.py
@@ -168,8 +168,8 @@ class SpatialScene:
         if now - self._last_anomaly.get(category, 0) < 30.0:
             return None
 
-        # Find the usual direction for this category
-        usual_angle = self.get_usual_direction(category)
+        # Find the usual direction for this category (already holding lock)
+        usual_angle = self._usual_direction_unlocked(category)
         if usual_angle is None:
             return None
 
@@ -192,34 +192,36 @@ class SpatialScene:
 
         return None
 
+    def _usual_direction_unlocked(self, category: str) -> Optional[float]:
+        """Get the most common direction for a category. Caller must hold self._lock."""
+        bins = self.scene_map.get(category)
+        if not bins:
+            return None
+
+        total_weight = sum(bins.values())
+        if total_weight == 0:
+            return None
+
+        sin_sum = 0.0
+        cos_sum = 0.0
+        for bin_idx, count in bins.items():
+            angle_rad = math.radians(_bin_center(bin_idx))
+            sin_sum += count * math.sin(angle_rad)
+            cos_sum += count * math.cos(angle_rad)
+
+        return math.degrees(math.atan2(sin_sum, cos_sum)) % 360
+
     def get_usual_direction(self, category: str) -> Optional[float]:
-        """Get the most common direction for a sound category (weighted average)."""
+        """Get the most common direction for a sound category (thread-safe)."""
         with self._lock:
-            bins = self.scene_map.get(category)
-            if not bins:
-                return None
-
-            # Weighted circular mean
-            total_weight = sum(bins.values())
-            if total_weight == 0:
-                return None
-
-            sin_sum = 0.0
-            cos_sum = 0.0
-            for bin_idx, count in bins.items():
-                angle_rad = math.radians(_bin_center(bin_idx))
-                sin_sum += count * math.sin(angle_rad)
-                cos_sum += count * math.cos(angle_rad)
-
-            mean_angle = math.degrees(math.atan2(sin_sum, cos_sum)) % 360
-            return mean_angle
+            return self._usual_direction_unlocked(category)
 
     def get_scene_summary(self) -> dict:
         """Get a summary of the learned spatial scene."""
         with self._lock:
             summary = {}
             for category in sorted(self.scene_map.keys()):
-                usual = self.get_usual_direction(category)
+                usual = self._usual_direction_unlocked(category)
                 total = self.category_totals[category]
                 if usual is not None:
                     summary[category] = {