Jul 21

Ambient Balance in Sensory Readable

Text-to-speech has been a transformative assistive technology for many and has existed for a long time. However, using ambient sounds and white noise to improve focus could mask the sounds of text-to-speech or other spoken audio. The voice might be difficult or impossible to hear when other sound is playing, and the ANC headset would likely need to be removed for sessions that require text-to-speech. Sensory Readable has addressed this with the new "Ambient Balance" feature, which includes white noise and several ambient sounds. When text-to-speech starts, Readable automatically reduces the volume of ambient sounds, meaning only one headset is needed for use of both. Ambient sound volume is increased again when text-to-speech stops. This allows users to benefit from better focus while retaining access to text-to-speech to improve reading comprehension.

A series of studies have suggested that, in addition to helping with focus, white noise and ambient sounds can also improve memory function, reduce off-task behaviours and provide additional positive effects on cognitive performance. It might seem counterintuitive that someone with challenges around background noise disturbance might be helped by more noise but in “Listen to the noise: noise is beneficial for cognitive performance in ADHD”, Göran Söderlund, Sikström Sverker and Andrew Smart explain that, although noise is typically seen as detrimental to cognitive performance, through the mechanism of stochastic resonance a certain amount of noise can benefit performance. They concluded that noise has a positive effect on cognitive performance for the ADHD group and deteriorated performance for the control group, showing that people with ADHD need more noise than controls for optimal cognitive performance.

While discussing his own experience with neurodiversity, Jake Slipkovich from University of the Arts London said that ambient sounds are beneficial in calming the brain/mind and filling space in a subliminal way. Although there has been research on how ambient sounds can aid focus, Jake questions the neurological understanding of how this benefits neurodivergence. He feels that neurodivergent brains expect, and intake sound very differently compared to neurotypical brains. Jake noted that for those with autism, background noise does not separate itself from the foreground and demands their attention.

Ambient Balance in Sensory Readable

You can see the feature in action here:

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