-
Behavioral Sciences (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2023In this practice-based case study, we investigate the subjective aesthetic and affective responses to a shift from 2D stereo-based modelling to 3D object-based Dolby...
Looking for the Edge of the World: How 3D Immersive Audio Produces a Shift from an Internalised Inner Voice to Unsymbolised Affect-Driven Ways of Thinking and Heightened Sensory Awareness.
In this practice-based case study, we investigate the subjective aesthetic and affective responses to a shift from 2D stereo-based modelling to 3D object-based Dolby Atmos in an audio installation artwork. Dolby Atmos is an infinite object-based audio format released in 2012 but only recently incorporated into more public-facing formats. Our analysis focuses on the artist Sadia Sadia's 30-channel audio installation 'Notes to an Unknown Lover', based on her book of free verse poetry of the same title, which was rebuilt and reformatted in a Dolby Atmos specified studio. We examine what effect altered spatiality with an infinite number of 'placements' has on the psychoacoustic and neuroaesthetic response to the text. The effectiveness of three-dimensional (3D) object-based audio is interrogated against more traditional stereo and two-dimensional (2D) formats regarding the expression and communication of emotion and what effect altered spatiality with an infinite number of placements has on the psychoacoustic and neuroaesthetic response to the text. We provide a unique examination of the consequences of a shift from 2D to wholly encompassing object-based audio in a text-based artist's audio installation work. These findings may also have promising applications for health and well-being issues.
PubMed: 37887508
DOI: 10.3390/bs13100858 -
Data in Brief Dec 2023This dataset comprises motion capture, audio, and questionnaire data from violinists who underwent four augmented reality training sessions spanning a month. The motion...
This dataset comprises motion capture, audio, and questionnaire data from violinists who underwent four augmented reality training sessions spanning a month. The motion capture data was meticulously recorded using a 42-marker Qualisys Animation marker set, capturing movement at a high rate of 120 Hz. Audio data was captured using two condenser microphones, boasting a bit depth of 24 and a sampling rate of 48 kHz. The dataset encompasses recordings from 2 violin orchestra section leaders and 11 participants. Initially, we collected motion capture (MoCap) and audio data from the section leaders, who performed 2 distinct musical pieces. These recordings were then utilized to create 2 avatars, each representing a section leader and their respective musical piece. Subsequently, each avatar was assigned to a group of violinists, forming groups of 5 and 6 participants. Throughout the experiment, participants rehearsed one piece four times using a 2D representation of the avatar, and the other piece four times using a 3D representation. During the practice sessions, participants were instructed to meticulously replicate the avatar's bowing techniques, encompassing gestures related to bowing, articulation, and dynamics. For each trial, we collected motion capture, audio data, and self-reported questionnaires from all participants. The questionnaires included the Witmer presence questionnaire, a subset of the Makransky presence questionnaire, the sense of musical agency questionnaire, as well as open-ended questions for participants to express their thoughts and experiences. Additionally, participants completed the Immersive Tendencies questionnaire, the Music Sophistication Index questionnaire, and provided demographic information before the first session commenced.
PubMed: 37869620
DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.2023.109663 -
Augmentative and Alternative... Mar 2024Children with complex communication needs often have multiple disabilities including visual impairments that impact their ability to interact with aided augmentative and...
Children with complex communication needs often have multiple disabilities including visual impairments that impact their ability to interact with aided augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems. Just as the field benefited from a consideration of visual cognitive neuroscience in construction of visual displays, an exploration of psychoacoustics can potentially assist in maximizing the possibilities within AAC systems when the visual channel is either (a) not the primary sensory mode, or (b) is one that can be augmented to ultimately benefit AAC outcomes. The purpose of this paper is to highlight background information about psychoacoustics and present possible future directions for the design of aided AAC system technologies for children with visual impairments who rely on auditory information to learn and utilize AAC.
Topics: Child; Humans; Psychoacoustics; Communication Disorders; Communication Aids for Disabled; Communication; Vision Disorders
PubMed: 37811949
DOI: 10.1080/07434618.2023.2262573 -
Frontiers in Psychology 2023The major goal of psychoarchaeoacoustics is to understand the psychology behind motivations and emotions of past communities when selecting certain acoustic environments...
The major goal of psychoarchaeoacoustics is to understand the psychology behind motivations and emotions of past communities when selecting certain acoustic environments to set activities involving the production of paintings and carvings. Within this framework, the present study seeks to explore whether a group of archaeological rock art sites in Altai (Siberia, Russia) are distinguished by particular acoustic imprints that elicit distinct reactions on listeners, in perceptual and emotional terms. Sixty participants were presented with a series of natural sounds convolved with six impulse responses from Altai, three of them recorded in locations in front of rock art panels and three of them in front of similar locations but without any trace of rock art. Participants were interrogated about their subjective perception of the sounds presented, using 10 psychoacoustic and emotional scales. The mixed ANOVA analyses carried out revealed that feelings of "presence," "closeness," and "tension" evoked by all sounds were significantly influenced by the location. These effects were attributed to the differences in reverberation between the locations with and without rock art. Despite results are not consistent across all the studied rock art sites, and acknowledging the presence of several limitations, this study highlights the significance of its methodology. It stresses the crucial aspect of incorporating the limitations encountered in shaping future research endeavors.
PubMed: 37794915
DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1188567 -
The Journal of the Acoustical Society... Oct 2023Appropriate sound quality models for noise-induced discomfort are necessary for a better acoustic comfort design in the aircraft cabin. This study investigates the...
Appropriate sound quality models for noise-induced discomfort are necessary for a better acoustic comfort design in the aircraft cabin. This study investigates the acoustic discomfort in two large passenger aeroplanes (i.e., planes A and B). We recorded the noise at 21 positions in each aircraft cabin and selected 42 stimuli ranging from 72 to 81 dB(A) during the cruising flights. Twenty-four participants rated the noise discomfort by the absolute magnitude estimation method. The discomfort values in the middle section of the aircraft cabin are 10% points higher than in the front or rear section. The discomfort magnitude was dominated by loudness and influenced by roughness and sharpness. A multiple linear (MA) discomfort model was established, accounting for the relationship between the discomfort and sound quality metrics (i.e., loudness, sharpness, and roughness). The MA model estimated noise discomfort better than the Zwicker and other (i.e., More and Di) psychoacoustic annoyance (PA) models. We modified the coefficients of independent variables in the formulations of Zwicker, Di, and More PA models, respectively, according to the present experimental results. The correlation coefficients between the estimated and measured values of the modified models were at least 20% points higher than the original ones.
Topics: Humans; Psychoacoustics; Linear Models; Noise; Sound; Aircraft
PubMed: 37782118
DOI: 10.1121/10.0020838 -
Journal of Personalized Medicine Aug 2023Mitochondrial diseases (MDs) are heterogeneous genetic disorders characterized by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) defects, involving tissues highly dependent on oxidative...
Mitochondrial diseases (MDs) are heterogeneous genetic disorders characterized by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) defects, involving tissues highly dependent on oxidative metabolism: the inner ear, brain, eye, skeletal muscle, and heart. We describe adult patients with genetically defined MDs, characterizing hearing function and neuroimaging results. We enrolled 34 patients (mean age: 50.02 ± 15 years, range: 18-75 years; 20 females and 14 males) classified in four groups: MELAS, MIDD, PEO, and Encephalopathy/Polyneuropathy. Audiological evaluations included psychoacoustical tests (pure-tone and speech audiometry), electrophysiological tests (Auditory Brainstem Responses, ABRs), and Impedenzometry. Neuroimaging evaluations considered global MRI abnormalities or structural brain changes. In total, 19/34 patients carried the m.3243A > G mutation (6 affected by MELAS, 12 affected by MIDD, and 1 affected by PEO); 11 had an mtDNA deletion (all affected by PEO); 3 had nuclear genes associated with MDs (POLG1 and OPA1); and 1 patient had an mtDNA deletion without an identified nuclear gene defect (affected by PEO). Sensory neural, bilateral, and symmetrical hearing loss was present in 25 patients (73.5%) to different degrees: 9 mild, 9 moderate, 5 severe, and 2 profound. The severe/profound and mild hearing losses were associated with pantonal and high-frequency audiograms, respectively. Instead, moderate hearing losses were associated with both high-frequency (five cases) and pantonal (five cases) audiogram shapes. In addition, 21/25 patients showed a cochlear site of lesion (84%), and 4/25 (16%) showed a retrocochlear site. We found global MRI abnormalities or structural brain changes in 26/30 subjects (86.6%): 21 had white matter abnormalities, 15 had cortical atrophy, 10 had subcortical atrophy, 8 had basal nuclei involvement or cerebellar atrophy, 4 had stroke-like lesions or laminar necrosis, and 1 had cysts or vacuolated lesions. We concluded that genetic alterations are associated with different clinical presentations for both auditory function and neuroradiological findings. There is no fixed relationship between genotype and phenotype for the clinical conditions analyzed.
PubMed: 37763097
DOI: 10.3390/jpm13091329 -
Brain Sciences Sep 2023Student audiology training in tinnitus evaluation and management is heterogeneous and has been found to be insufficient. We designed a new clinical simulation laboratory...
PURPOSE
Student audiology training in tinnitus evaluation and management is heterogeneous and has been found to be insufficient. We designed a new clinical simulation laboratory for training students on psychoacoustic measurements of tinnitus: one student plays the role of the tinnitus patient, wearing a device producing a sound like tinnitus on one ear, while another student plays the role of the audiologist, evaluating their condition. The objective of the study was to test this new clinical simulation laboratory of tinnitus from the perspective of the students.
METHOD
This study reports the findings from twenty-one audiology students (20 female and 1 male, mean age = 29, SD = 7.7) who participated in this laboratory for a mandatory audiology class at the Laval University of Quebec. Three students had hearing loss (one mild, two moderate). All students played the role of both the clinician and the patient, alternately. They also had to fill out a questionnaire about their overall experience of the laboratory.
RESULTS
The qualitative analysis revealed three main themes: "Benefits of the laboratory on future practice", "Barriers and facilitators of the psychoacoustic assessment", and "Awareness of living with tinnitus". The participants reported that this experience would have a positive impact on their ability to manage tinnitus patients in their future career.
CONCLUSION
This fast, cheap, and effective clinical simulation method could be used by audiology and other healthcare educators to strengthen students' skills and confidence in tinnitus evaluation and management. The protocol is made available to all interested parties.
PubMed: 37759939
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13091338 -
The Journal of the Acoustical Society... Sep 2023The use of virtual acoustic environments has become a key element in psychoacoustic and audiologic research, as loudspeaker-based reproduction offers many advantages...
The use of virtual acoustic environments has become a key element in psychoacoustic and audiologic research, as loudspeaker-based reproduction offers many advantages over headphones. However, sound field synthesis methods have mostly been evaluated numerically or perceptually in the center, yielding little insight into the achievable accuracy of the reproduced sound field over a wider reproduction area with loudspeakers in a physical, laboratory-standard reproduction setup. Deviations from the ideal free-field and point-source concepts, such as non-ideal frequency response, non-omnidirectional directivity, acoustic reflections, and diffraction on the necessary hardware, impact the generated sound field. We evaluate reproduction accuracy in a 61-loudspeaker setup, the Simulated Open Field Environment, installed in an anechoic chamber. A first measurement following the ISO 8253-2:2009 standard for free-field audiology shows that the required accuracy is reached with critical-band-wide noise. A second measurement characterizes the sound pressure reproduced with the higher-order Ambisonics basic decoder, with and without max rE weighting, vector base amplitude panning, and nearest loudspeaker mapping on a 187 cm × 187 cm reproduction area. We show that the sweet-spot size observed in measured sound fields follows the rule kr≤N/2 rather than kr≤N but is still large enough to avoid compromising psychoacoustic experiments.
PubMed: 37756576
DOI: 10.1121/10.0021066 -
The European Journal of Neuroscience Oct 2023Human listeners prefer octave intervals slightly above the exact 2:1 frequency ratio. To study the neural underpinnings of this subjective preference, called the octave...
Human listeners prefer octave intervals slightly above the exact 2:1 frequency ratio. To study the neural underpinnings of this subjective preference, called the octave enlargement phenomenon, we compared neural responses between exact, slightly enlarged, oversized, and compressed octaves (or their multiples). The first experiment (n = 20) focused on the N1 and P2 event-related potentials (ERPs) elicited in EEG 50-250 ms after the second tone onset during passive listening of one-octave intervals. In the second experiment (n = 20) applying four-octave intervals, musician participants actively rated the different octave types as 'low', 'good' and 'high'. The preferred slightly enlarged octave was individually determined prior to the second experiment. In both experiments, N1-P2 peak-to-peak amplitudes attenuated for the exact and slightly enlarged octave intervals compared with compressed and oversized intervals, suggesting overlapping neural representations of tones an octave (or its multiples) apart. While there were no differences between the N1-P2 amplitudes to the exact and preferred enlarged octaves, ERP amplitudes differed after 500 ms from onset of the second tone of the pair. In the multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) of the second experiment, the different octave types were distinguishable (spatial classification across electroencephalography [EEG] channels) 200 ms after second tone onset. Temporal classification within channels suggested two separate discrimination processes peaking around 300 and 700 ms. These findings appear to be related to active listening, as no multivariate results were found in the first, passive listening experiment. The present results suggest that the subjectively preferred octave size is resolved at the late stages of auditory processing.
Topics: Humans; Psychoacoustics; Evoked Potentials; Electroencephalography; Music; Auditory Perception; Evoked Potentials, Auditory; Acoustic Stimulation
PubMed: 37752605
DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16150 -
Attention, Perception & Psychophysics Oct 2023There have been numerous studies investigating the perception of non-native sounds by listeners with different first language (L1) backgrounds. However, research needs...
There have been numerous studies investigating the perception of non-native sounds by listeners with different first language (L1) backgrounds. However, research needs to expand to under-researched languages and incorporate predictions conducted under the assumptions of new speech models. This study aimed to investigate the perception of Dutch vowels by Cypriot Greek adult listeners and test the predictions of cross-linguistic acoustic and perceptual similarity. The predictions of acoustic similarity were formed using a machine-learning algorithm. Listeners completed a classification test, which served as the baseline for developing the predictions of perceptual similarity by employing the framework of the Universal Perceptual Model (UPM), and an AXB discrimination test; the latter allowed the evaluation of both acoustic and perceptual predictions. The findings indicated that listeners classified each non-native vowel as one or more L1 vowels, while the discrimination accuracy over the non-native contrasts was moderate. In addition, cross-linguistic acoustic similarity predicted to a large extent the classification of non-native sounds in terms of L1 categories and both the acoustic and perceptual similarity predicted the discrimination accuracy of all contrasts. Being in line with prior findings, these findings demonstrate that acoustic and perceptual cues are reliable predictors of non-native contrast discrimination and that the UPM model can make accurate estimations for the discrimination patterns of non-native listeners.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Greece; Phonetics; Speech Acoustics; Speech Perception; Language; Acoustics
PubMed: 37740154
DOI: 10.3758/s13414-023-02781-7