Laboratory setup for assessing physiological stress buildup and recovery associated with noise annoyance using virtual reality and ambisonic loudspeaker reproduction
Year: 2022
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Urbanization with continuously increasing population and mobility results in increasing noise pollution and a decline of green spaces, although the latter are important for restoration from stress. The Swiss research project RESTORE (Restorative potential of green spaces in noise-polluted environments) aims to assess the effects of green spaces as facilitators and noise as impediment to recover from stress. Besides field surveys and experiments, highly controlled laboratory VR experiments are to be conducted. This paper presents a framework for the design of a perceptual VR experiment inside a laboratory environment, to be used for evaluating the effects of: 1) noise on stress buildup and 2) green spaces on reducing noise annoyance and promote stress recovery. The framework is split into four parts: 1) 360° video and higher order ambisonic (HOA) field recordings; 2) Calibrated spatial sound reproduction with a spherical loudspeaker array; 3) Coupling of HOA audio and video, which will be played back via head mounded display inside a game engine and the design of a graphical user interface for a perceptual experimental questionnaire; 4) Measurement of physiological stress using saliva cortisol and skin conductance. For the latter, an outlook is given on the design of the planned experiments.
Institution: Empa
Language: English
Topic: Noise Effects and Management
Subfield: Acoustics and Ultrasonics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7221840175