Sound Focus

Poster Session A - Saturday, April 13, 2024, 2:30 – 4:30 pm EDT, Sheraton Hall ABC

Maya Peacock¹ (mpeacock@ramapo.edu); ¹Ramapo College of New Jeresy

The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of using specific frequencies bands of auditory signal to facilitate focused and sustained attention in college-aged adults while studying. Stochastic resonance theory suggests that one can amplify, and correctly identify, a signal in the midst of specific frequencies and intensities of noise thus enhancing the signal to noise ratio (SNR). In humans this serves to facilitate attention to the signal and inhibit attention to irrelevant stimuli. Research suggests spectrums of sounds most reliably shown to increase focused attention are white (all frequencies audible to the human ear at equal intensity), pink (lower tones, intensity decreases at a specific rate) and brown noise (variable frequency and intensity). 107 college-aged students (88 females, 10 with ADD) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 conditions (no noise, white, pink or brown noise) and asked to listen to the spectrum via headphones as they read a passage and responded to comprehension questions or solve math problems. Environmental sounds such as “conversations” or music were also piped in during the session. Results suggest that usage of any three of the frequencies provides an increased level of concentration, but those who used brown noise felt the most focused compared to the rest of the population.

Topic Area: ATTENTION: Auditory