Perceptual Evaluation of Dynamic Sound Zones, Part 2: Audio Quality of Experience in a Simulated Hospital Environment

Hermannsen L, Skov KF, Bech S. Perceptual Evaluation of Dynamic Sound Zones, Part 2: Audio Quality of Experience in a Simulated Hospital Environment. J Audio Eng Soc. 2026;74(6):376-392. doi:10.17743/jaes.2022.0272

@article{Hermannsen2026_23236,
  author = {Hermannsen, Line and Skov, Kasper Fangel and Bech, Søren},
  title = {{Perceptual Evaluation of Dynamic Sound Zones, Part 2: Audio Quality of Experience in a Simulated Hospital Environment}},
  journal = {Journal of the Audio Engineering Society},
  volume = {74},
  number = {6},
  pages = {376--392},
  year = {2026},
  month = jun,
  publisher = {Audio Engineering Society},
  doi = {10.17743/jaes.2022.0272},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.17743/jaes.2022.0272}
}

TY  - JOUR
TI  - Perceptual Evaluation of Dynamic Sound Zones, Part 2: Audio Quality of Experience in a Simulated Hospital Environment
AU  - Hermannsen, Line
AU  - Skov, Kasper Fangel
AU  - Bech, Søren
T2  - Journal of the Audio Engineering Society
J2  - J. Audio Eng. Soc.
VL  - 74
IS  - 6
SP  - 376
EP  - 392
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/06/08
DO  - 10.17743/jaes.2022.0272
UR  - https://doi.org/10.17743/jaes.2022.0272
PB  - Audio Engineering Society
LA  - en
AB  - In the Interactive Sound Zones for Better Living (ISOBEL) project, a sound zone system was developed to create two personal listening experiences simultaneously in health care settings. The perception and audio quality of experience of sound zones were evaluated through listening tests, where perceptual attributes were rated in different scenarios with variations in reproduction mode, audio bandwidth, and reproduction levels. The tests were conducted in a simulated hospital setting to improve the ecological validity of the findings. All perceptual attributes were found to be significantly influenced by one or more of the selected physical factors. In audio-on-audio scenarios, the use of sound zones significantly decreased the perceived distraction and increased the liking compared with wide-angle reproduction. The influence of reproduction levels and audio bandwidth depended on the use case and audio content. Distraction was found to be the main predictor of the audio quality of experience of sound zones. The results help refine the experimental methodology for future perceptual tests within the project. This study provides a valuable contribution to understanding how to enhance listening experiences simultaneously for multiple users.
ER  -