Humming Hearing
How sound connects to the brain helps airlines and airports develop new experiences
(Image by dreamstime)
There are two animals that have the best hearing. The moth and the bat. Actually, a specific type of moth, the greater wax moth. What’s interesting is that the moth has developed such sensitive hearing to escape its main predator, the bat, which has the second-best hearing. Bats use high-frequency echolocation to hunt, but the greater wax moths can hear bats’ calls.
It’s almost like a cat-and-mouse chase, then.
The moth can hear frequencies up to 300 kHz, whereas the average hearing range for a human is between 20 Hz–20 kHz. We also only use three muscles in the hearing process, but we don’t know any better.
On the human side a great deal of research has helped us understand the biology of sound. More recently machine learning has even cracked the code of sound recognition. This is helpful in improve hearing aids, for instance.
But there is more to sound. Sounds connect to different parts of the brain. Both good and bad, by the way.
But is it then something we could potentially use on planes to improve experiences and well-being?
Read on what the opportunities are and/or join the blog for free.
It is very important to understand how the brain distinguishes between sound categories. For animals its related to obtaining food or recognizing danger. For humans it’s necessary to communicate, get things done, feel safe, and to socialize.
But I recognize that advances in this field are not only good for paving the way for treating disorders that affect speech, speech recognition or improving hearing aids.
The same technology can help us understand which sounds help improve our well-being.
Let me explain.
If we can use a machine-learning model that helps explain how the brain recognizes the meaning of communication sounds, we can probably do the same with other sounds. Like music, ambiance, or a simple hum.
But, you might argue that music is very personal and the mood it may put you in depends on many other factors, including whether you are stressed or on the go, like in an airport or on a plane (where many people still experience anxiety).
People can of course indicate what type of sound triggers which feelings and a quick-learner machine learning model can come up with personalized recommendations. These recommendations can drive what a passenger would feel like hearing or listening to actively or passively.
Technically speaking, the algorithm would help understand the intricacies of neuronal processing that underlies sound appreciation and provides a crucial insight into the process of well-being creation.
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But let’s get back to basics. We know that we have sound-processing networks and that they create feelings.
So, there are a few companies that have a unique way in letting people experience sound or tones. It can boost moods, put you at rest, and is a novel way to entertain. Naturally, you will find plenty of apps for music therapy, like HealthTunes.
This can be done in combination with images in VR headsets and there are at least 30 recommended Apps on Quest 2, SteamVR, Oculus PC, and PSVR, so there’s something for everyone.
The categories you can put them in include nature relaxation, musical relaxation, creation & puzzling, musical creation, meditation, reflection, mindfulness, and exploration. Some, like TheBlu take you underwater to get up close and personal with some beautiful aquatic scenes and creates.
Guided Meditation VR has 27 nature filled ‘environments’ with over 500 individual meditation spots. It can be narrated but you can also choose no narration to simply enjoy the sights and sounds (or mix in your own ambient sounds).
But what about pure sounds and tones? That is, connecting only to sound and let sound waves connect to brain waves?
This all made me very curious. Can we incorporate this in a special setting and turn it into a product. At which airport would I try this or when can we expect this to roll out?
(Image by Roadtovr.com, Amazon and Qualcomm invest in TRIPP to launch mindful metaverse).
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Humming Inflight
I am sure we can expect more experiences in airports, but I’m equally interested in seeing this technology on board where, so far, the innovation has been limited to voice-cancellation headsets and experimental use of VR headsets. But that’s for watching things.
What if aircraft manufacturers could innovate further with sound technology? There are some pros and cons.
PROS:
It can ‘reset’ people on a physiological and psychological level
Given the trend to closed suites in First or closed doors in Business, personal bubbles can be created with sound
Pleasant sounds can replace irritable humming or resonation sounds
Different sounds in different social spaces (bars) on future aircraft could create ‘settings’ for different experiences, or the product could be right there
Sound technology could further cabin differentiation and branding
The technology could be embedded in airline Apps or even airport Apps
The experience can be tailored to each aircraft type
The lounges could be unique in each airport, reflecting the home country
It may help reduce air rage, provided it is used at scale.
CONS:
Passengers like hearing engine noise as it provides a sense of security (propulsion = lift)
Passengers will get annoyed listening to cabin/ambiance for hours on end, so it must be personal and customizable
Some people find it difficult to relax with their eyes covered in public space
The experience would not be extensible to alliance partner operated flights.
Nonetheless, it is not inconceivable to see this type of experience succeed on aircraft. It is all in the execution and wrapping it around a passenger in the way they find comforting, not intrusive, and personalized.
There has to be a mechanism that allows real-time influence by the passenger to avoid hit-and-miss experiences, so some interaction from a customer is expected.
At the same time, we don’t want people to click away every second they hear a sound that they believe is not hitting the mark.
So it will evolve. But much like hypnotherapy, which is based on both images and sound, new experiences may end up providing a unique VR headset with sound experience, where the sounds mimic connect to the brain in more relaxing ways.
Either way, like the moth, using these experiences may evolve our hearing by connecting better to the parts of the brain that may us feel good. And safe.
We should all go and try it.
One thing about the moth, though. They may have excellent hearing and can spot bats, but they don’t ‘see’ me coming. Perhaps it was the wrong type of moth.
Wishing you all a wonderful day, and greetings from sunny Montréal.
Ricardo
Montreal, Tuesday, 9 May 2023
Feel free to contact me for questions, comments, or a chat:
ricardo(at)pomonaadvisors(dot)com
my general email has changed to: info(at)ricardopilon(dot)com