English

Designing Virtual Soundscapes for Alzheimer's Disease Care

Sound 2019-11-22 v1 Audio and Speech Processing

Abstract

Sound environment is a prime source of conscious and unconscious information which allows listeners to place themselves, to communicate, to feel, to remember. The author describes the process of designing a new audio interactive apparatus for Alzheimer's care, in the context of an active multidisciplinary research project led by the author in collaboration with a longterm care centre (EHPAD) in Burgundy (France), a geriatrician, a gerontologist, psychologists and caregivers. The apparatus, named Madeleines Sonores in reference to Proust's madeleine, have provided virtual soundscapes sounding for a year for 14 elderly people hosted in the dedicated Alzheimer's unit of the care centre, 24/7. Empiric aspects of sonic interactivity are discussed in relation to dementia and to the activity of caring. Scientific studies are initiated to evaluate the benefits of such a disposal in Alzheimer's disease therapy and in caring dementia.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1911.09459,
  title  = {Designing Virtual Soundscapes for Alzheimer's Disease Care},
  author = {Frédéric Voisin},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1911.09459},
  year   = {2019}
}