Archive for November, 2008
November 30th, 2008 19:11:59
Super-expressive voices: Music to my ears?
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Super-expressive voices: Music to my ears?
Behav Brain Sci. 2008 Oct;31(5):596-597
Authors: Simpson EA, Oliver WT, Fragaszy D
We present evidence from neuroimaging and brain lesion studies that emotional contagion may not be a mechanism underlying musical emotions. Our brains distinguish voice from non-voice sounds early in processing, and dedicate more resources to such processing. We argue that super-expressive voice theory currently cannot account for evidence of the dissociation in processing musical emotion and voice prosody.
PMID: 18826721 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
November 26th, 2008 21:11:53
Soundscapes: from noise annoyance to the music of urban life.
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Soundscapes: from noise annoyance to the music of urban life.
J Acoust Soc Am. 2008 May;123(5):3807
Authors: Guastavino C, Dubois DS
Through an overview of empirical research over the past ten years, we present an interpretation of the evolution of the concept of soundscape. From a strictly acoustic definition in terms of physical descriptors, it evolved into a more complex notion integrating the effects of noise on citizens. Soundscape research therefore requires the contribution of human sciences (psychology of perception, cognitive psychology, sociology, anthropology of senses). There is converging evidence that people judgments of noise is related to the meaning given to the activities producing the noise. Consequently, physical descriptions in acoustics have to face the diversity of human reactions to noise correlated with the diversity of activities, the diversity of source producing noises within a diversity of physical environments (natural, architectural). This paper focuses on major emerging issues in soundscapes research, namely - the integration of such a diversity of pieces of knowledge within a general knowledge - the translation of these diverse conceptualizations into physical descriptions - the elaboration of convincing physical measurements for decision makers. We will draw consequences for further developments in the cooperative and pluridisciplinary research and for producing guidelines for new orientations in community policies.
PMID: 18532231 [PubMed - in process]
November 26th, 2008 12:11:42
[Music by earphones: an underestimated risk]
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[Music by earphones: an underestimated risk]
Med Lav. 2008 Sep-Oct;99(5):362-5
Authors: Cassano E, Bavaro P, Aloise I, Bobbio E, Renna M
BACKGROUND: The authors studied exposure to the noise generated by digital music listening devices (MP3) as used by young people. OBJECTIVES: to study the level of sound emission of some of these devices at 100%, 75% and 50% volume. METHODS: Using a mannequin, the LeqA, LmaxA, LeqC and the peak in C of nine of the most commonly used devices was measured at levels of sound emission of 100%, 75% and 50%. RESULTS: It was found that all the devices exceeded 100 dBA of Leq at 100% of the listening volume. We therefore estimated the Lex8, as recommended in Italian Law 195/06, to which these young people are exposed using the devices for 15, 30, and 60 minutes/day. CONCLUSIONS: Young people undergoing daily exposures for only 15 minutes at maximal listening volume exceed the limit value of daily occupational exposure for workers, which Law 195/06 fixes at 87 dBA.
PMID: 18828535 [PubMed - in process]
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