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Auditory Display vs. Visual Displays - The Future

Computer interfaces are incorporating an increasing number of sound cues. These cues fall into one of two categories:

  • Auditory icons - Sound producing computer display icons that replicate real-world sounds.
  • Earcons - Computer display icons that produce abstract, musical tones which, in structured combinations, convey auditory messages.

For improving the design of alarms and alerts for safety critical, complex systems, a promising research area is the patterning of auditory signals to more closely resemble music segments and harmonics rather than pure tones. Using MRI and PET scanners, researchers have discovered that music stimulates many areas of the brain, including those involved in short and long-term memory. The brain also processes music at lightning speed by selecting optimum neural pathways. We can remember a remarkable number of tunes, songs, and melodies. These abilities can be tapped to design more effective auditory alarms and alerts and computer interfaces.

  
 

 

  
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