A substantial amount of studies have addressed the influence of sound on human performance. In many of these, however, the large acoustic differences between experimental conditions prevent a direct translation of the results to realistic effects of room acoustic interventions. This review identifies those studies which can be, in principle, translated to (changes in) room acoustic parameters and adds to the knowledge about the influence of the indoor sound environment on people. The review procedure is based on the effect room acoustics can have on the relevant quantifiers of the sound environment in a room or space. 272 papers containing empirical findings on the influence of sound or noise on some measure of human performance were found. Of these, only 12 papers complied with this review's criteria. A conceptual framework is suggested based on the analysis of results, positioning the role of room acoustics in the influence of sound on task performance. Furthermore, valuable insights are pre- sented that can be used in future studies on this topic. Whi le the influence of the sound environment on performance is clearly an issue in many situations, evidence regarding the effectiveness of strategies to control the sound environment by room acoustic design is lacking and should be a focus area in future studies.
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From the introduction: "There are two variants of fronto-temporal dementia: a behavioral variant (behavioral FTD, bvFTD, Neary et al. (1998)), which causes changes in behavior and personality but leaves syntax, phonology and semantics relatively intact, and a variant that causes impairments in the language processing system (Primary Progessive Aphasia, PPA (Gorno-Tempini et al., 2004). PPA can be subdivided into subtypes fluent (fluent but empty speech, comprehension of word meaning is affected / `semantic dementia') and non-fluent (agrammatism, hesitant or labored speech, word finding problems). Some identify logopenic aphasia as a FTD-variant: fluent aphasia with anomia but intact object recognition and underlying word meaning."
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The benefits of having a high indoor environmental quality (IEQ) for a healthy life and optimal performance are well known. In addition, research has been executed on the effects of indoor environmental parameters such as (day)light, sound/ acoustics, temperature, and air quality on people living with dementia.
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BACKGROUND: The care sector for persons with disabilities considers the physical environment relevant for the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities. However, scientific evidence is limited. OBJECTIVE: To obtain evidence regarding comforting and encouraging environments and to develop an overview of studies addressing the effect of the physical environment on people with intellectual disabilities. METHODS: A scoping review, accompanied by expert panels and case findings combining scientific evidence and knowledge from practice, was performed to investigate the interaction between challenging behaviour and the physical environment. Between January and March 2020, several scientific databases were searched in the English, Dutch, and German language for relevant studies. Social media, care professionals, and experts in building physics were consulted. RESULTS: Studies on building-related factors as passive interventions and care- or therapy-related interventions could be distinguished. The majority of the studies report on building-related factors such as sound, acoustics, light, and colours and their influence on behaviour. Specific guidelines are lacking on how to adjust the indoor environment to an environment that is safe, comforting and encouraging for people displaying challenging behaviour. Proposed solutions are case-based. CONCLUSION: In future studies individual cases could be studied in a more in-depth manner, aligned and categorised to the building-related factors and to the expressions of challenging behaviour.
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This paper evaluates a design procedure which is able to scale one-dimensional quadratic-residue diffusers, with integrated Helmholtz resonators. These acoustic structures can be tuned to room modes while fitting within a specified volume. An algorithmic solver is used to control geometric parameters in order to achieve a target frequency. The effect of the diffuser on a room is estimated using Pachyderm. Values obtained with simplified models, that make use of analytically derived coefficients, are compared with those obtained by simulating the full geometry. The predictive power of the simplified modeling made it preferable over simulating the full geometry in comparable scenarios. CFD simulations and measurements taken from a 1:1 scale prototype, are used to evaluate the applicability of lumped mass models to predict resonance frequency and absorption of slit Helmholtz resonators. Although the obtained results remain inconclusive, they indicate a higher inertial attached length for semi-infinite slit resonators, than typically found in literature. If these results can be validated, then the procedure should provide reliable designs.
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Vocal effects - also called extreme or extended vocal techniques - with the intention to sound hoarse or rough are widely used as part of many genres and styles of singing, yet scarcely documented in research. Physiological studies detail the involvement of supraglottic structures for the production of vocal effects, yet the acoustic impact of such involvement has not been documented systematically across phonation types.
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While research has shown the multiple benefits of single-bed patient rooms in hospitals, amongst which the experience of privacy and dignity, the majority of patient rooms in existing hospitals are shared. Transforming them into single-patient rooms can be time-consuming, costly or even impossible, which motivates this study looking into privacy in multiple-patient rooms. To share a hospital room, means to share sensitive information with total strangers. This may cause uncomfortable situations for both patients. Furthermore, the awareness of other ears in the room can withhold some patients from sharing important information during daily ward rounds The aim of this study was to investigate the acoustic effect and the acceptance of an adjustable sound masking system in a 4-bed patient room. The objective of the system is that when a doctor shares personal information with one patient, the other patients in the room are not able to understand the conversation.
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HB2006 : proceedings of the 8th international conference healthy buildings. Oliveira Fernandez, E. de; Gameiro da Silva, M.; Rosada Pinto, J. (red). ISBN 989-95067-1-0 2006 4-8 juni, Lissabon, Portugal, volume III, p. 279-282
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Europeans are living longer than ever in history, because of the economic growth and advances in hygiene and health care. Today, average life expectancy is over 80, and by 2020 around 25% of the population will be over 65. The increasing group of older people poses great challenges in terms of creating suitable living environments and appropriate housing facilities. The physical indoor environment plays an important role in creating fitting, comfortable and healthy domestic spaces. Our senses are the primary interface with the built environment. With biological ageing, a number of sensory changes occur as a result of the intrinsic ageing process in sensory organs and their association with the nervous system. These changes can in turn change the way we perceive the environment around us. It is important to understand these changes when designing for older occupants, for instance, care homes, hospitals and private homes, as well as office spaces given the developments in the domain of staying active at work until older age.
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In recent years, the effects of the physical environment on the healing process and well-being have proved to be increasingly relevant for patients and their families (PF) as well as for healthcare staff. The discussions focus on traditional and institutionally designed healthcare facilities (HCF) relative to the actual well-being of patients as an indicator of their health and recovery. This review investigates and structures the scientific research on an evidence-based healthcare design for PF and staff outcomes. Evidence-based design has become the theoretical concept for what are called healing environments. The results show the effects on PF and staff from the perspective of various aspects and dimensions of the physical environmental factors of HFC. A total of 798 papers were identified that fitted the inclusion criteria for this study. Of these, 65 articles were selected for review: fewer than 50% of these papers were classified with a high level of evidence, and 86% were included in the group of PF outcomes. This study demonstrates that evidence of staff outcomes is scarce and insufficiently substantiated. With the development of a more customer-oriented management approach to HCF, the implications of this review are relevant to the design and construction of HCF. Some design features to consider in future design and construction of HCF are single-patient rooms, identical rooms, and lighting. For future research, the main challenge will be to explore and specify staff needs and to integrate those needs into the built environment of HCF.
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