Kirsten A. Van den Bosch

• PhD in Soundscape Research
• Professor (Assistant) at University of Groningen

Binaural beats are perceived when two different frequencies are presented dichotically to a listener, causing the perception of a beating sound. They have been associated with beneficial effects on cognitive functions such as learning, concentration, and creativity. Studies however often yield incomparable or inconclusive results, due to inconsiste...

This paper offers a critical examination of Schafer's legacy by looking at the lack of diversity in one of the most studied aspects in our field: nature, and shows how the overrepresentation of green and blue is symptomatic of a Western normative listening style. Despite work within human soundscape studies that generally acknowledges differing gen...

Studies on the cognitive and psychological benefits of binaural beats (BB) often yield divergent or inconclusive results. While some studies suggest that BB are beneficial for e.g. relaxation, creativity and concentration, others fail to replicate these findings. Recent reviews on the subject reveal this may be explained by dissimilarities in metho...

This paper presents the outcomes of the “Soundscape Attributes Translation Project” (SATP), an international initiative addressing the critical research gap in soundscape descriptors translations for cross-cultural studies. Focusing on eighteen languages – namely: Arabic, Chinese, Croatian, Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Indonesian, Italian...

The ISO/TS 12913-2:2018 document for soundscape data collection provides a questionnaire instrument for researchers and practitioners to use worldwide, but its applicability has been questioned, since it's only available in English. To address the lack of research on translations of the soundscape descriptors proposed in Method A of the ISO technic...

Objectives Auditory environments as perceived by an individual, also called soundscapes, are often suboptimal for nursing home residents. Poor soundscapes have been associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS). We evaluated the effect of the Mobile Soundscape Appraisal and Recording Technology sound awareness intervention (MoSART+) on NPS in nur...

This paper presents preliminary results from a research project at the University of Groningen where recently various Active Learning Classrooms (ALC) were created. It answers the research question “How do university teachers experience teaching in an Active Learning Classroom?”. In total, 14 teachers participated in a survey which was conducted be...

Introduction Soundscapes in nursing homes are often suboptimal for residents. This can cause them feeling anxious and unsafe, or develop behavioral and psychological problems. Residents with dementia cannot adapt nursing home environments to their needs due to cognitive and physical limitations. It is up to the staff of psycho-geriatric wards to im...

The recently published ISO/TS 12913-2:2018 standard aims to provide researchers and practitioners around the world with a reliable questionnaire for soundscape characterization. The ISO Technical Specifications report protocols and attributes grounded in the soundscape literature, but only includes an English version. The applicability and reliabil...

Objectives Nursing home residents with dementia are sensitive to detrimental auditory environments. This paper presents the first literature review of empirical research investigating (1) the (perceived) intensity and sources of sounds in nursing homes, and (2) the influence of sounds on health of residents with dementia and staff. Design A system...

Objectives: We translated and modified an ambiance scale for use by (in)formal caregivers in Dutch nursing homes. We tested validity and reliability of the modified Ambiance Scale. Method: Convenience sampling was used to enrol (in)formal caregivers in three nursing homes in the Netherlands. 104 questionnaires were filled in; 45 by informal caregiv...

In 2017, the Dutch Ministry of lnfrastructure and Water Management (I&W) published Smart Interventions for a Quieter, Healthier City as part of its 'Smart and Healthy Cities' programme. That publication examines the role of sound within the public domain, and focuses on the perception of sound, particularly in relation to interventions intended to...

We propose a framework based on evolutionary principles and the theory of enactive cognition (“being by doing”), that addresses the foundation of key results and central questions of soundscape research. We hypothesize that the two main descriptors (measures of how people perceive the acoustic environment) of soundscape appraisal (‘pleasantness’ an...

This article evaluates the role of soundscapes in the emotional well-being of individuals with severe or profound intellectual disabilities. Given the high prevalence of visual disabilities in this group, they supposedly depend more on sound to understand their surroundings. Nevertheless, there is little attention for (the effects of) sound in long...

Background: Previous research indicates that there is a relationship between the auditory environment and the core affects (or mood) of people with severe or profound intellectual disability. We conducted a systematic study to further explore this relationship. Method: Thirteen participants with severe or profound intellectual disability and chall...

Eurosonic Noorderslag is the biggest showcase music festival of Europe. Like all festivals it is a temporary activity that affects the normal state of affairs of an existing neighborhood. To maintain social support for this festival the local municipality and the event organizers want to understand the subjective auditory experience (or sound appra...

During the past four years, we conducted research on the role of the auditory environment in special needs care. People with severe or profound intellectual and multiple disabilities are characterized by a high degree of vulnerability and lack of autonomy, making them dependent on others for the gratification of their daily needs. Despite their lim...

Attention to the auditory environment of people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD) is limited, both in research and practice. As there is a dynamic interplay between the quality of the auditory environment and well-being, a study was undertaken to test the validity of the theoretical framework regarding the role of sound in...

Background: People with profound intellectual disabilities experience a high prevalence of visual disabilities, making them more dependent on sound. However, research addressing the influence of the auditory environment is scarce. Method: Observations of the auditory environments (soundscapes) and moods of people with profound intellectual and visu...

We argue that the capacity to live life to the benefit of self and others originates in the defining properties of life. These lead to two modes of cognition; the coping mode that is preoccupied with the satisfaction of pressing needs and the co-creation mode that aims at the realization of a world where pressing needs occur less frequently. We hav...

Deze studie tracht te voorzien in de tot nu toe ontbrekende kennis over de auditieve omgeving van men- sen met (zeer) ernstige verstandelijke beperkingen. Dit gegeven is opmerkelijk, gezien de hoge prevalentie van visuele beperkingen bij deze categorie personen, waardoor zij in het bijzonder afhankelijk zijn van het geluid in hun omgeving. Na de on...

In this paper we explore how the perception of sound sources (like traffic, birds, and the presence of distant people) influences the appraisal of soundscapes (as calm, lively, chaotic, or boring). We have used 60 one-minute recordings, selected from 21 days (502 hours) in March and July 2010. First, participants indicated their appraisal in terms...

De betekenis van geluid is belangrijker dan de luidheid, mensen zijn meer dan decibelmeters. We luisteren naar veiligheid.

We hypothesize that, from an evolutionary perspective, the first role of sound is to warn for possible danger, and therefore to establish audible safety. Indicators of audible safety are sounds that indicate normalness, and especially sounds of people engaging in activities they would only pursue if they feel safe. Audible safety seems to be estima...

In this paper we connect open-ended development, authority, agency, and motivation through (1) an analysis of the demands of existing in a complex world and (2) environmental appraisal in terms of affordance content and the complexity to select appropriate behavior. We do this by identifying a coherent core from a wide range of contributing fields....

Soundscape research applicable to residential facilities for people with Profound Intellectual and Multiple Disabilities (PIMD) is scarce. The aim of this study is to determine the role of sound for persons with PIMD, because we expect it provides insight into role of audition. We hypothesize that sound is important in developing a sense of a safe...

The first and foremost evolutionary role of audition is to estimate safety. One typical safety indicator is normalness and subcortical auditory processes are always estimating normalness. If the situation is normal and safe, our higher cortical functions are free to attend their own matters. But if subcortical and subconscious auditory processing a...