Auditory Display

Auditory display is the use of non-speech sound to present information (e.g., Geiger counters). Auditory display is currently used in many complex work environments including computers, medical workstations, aircraft cockpits, and control centers in nuclear reactors. A key issue in the development of auditory display is optimizing the degree of match between the intended information and the cognitive experience of that information by the listener.  My work shows that there are cognitive and perceptual distortions that occur when dimensions of sound undergo dynamic change.  Given that dynamic changes in frequency, intensity, and spectral content are likely vehicles for auditory display, these distortions can be particularly important. A research goal is to further specify the types of perceptual interactions that occur under various dynamic acoustic conditions.  A theoretical and experimental foundation can then be developed that can be used in maximizing the information available in auditory displays. We have also recently examined the interaction of musical expertise the use of pitch change in auditory display.
 

 For more information see: 

• Kramer, G., Walker, B., Bonebright, T. Cook, P., Flowers, J., Miner, N., Neuhoff, J., et al. (1999). Sonification report: Status of the field and research agenda. Report prepared for the National Science Foundation by members of the International Community for Auditory Display. 
• Neuhoff, J. G., Kramer, G., & Wayand, J. (2002). Pitch and loudness interact in auditory displays: Can the data get lost in the map? Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied. 8 (1), 17-25.
• Neuhoff, J.G., Wayand, J., & Knight, R.(submitted). Pitch change and musical expertise in auditory displays: Which way is up?