Designing Virtual Soundscapes for Alzheimer's Disease Care

Frédéric Voisin (1)

1 Chercheur indépendant

Sound environment is a prime source of conscious and unconscious information which allows listeners to place themselves, to communicate, to feel, to remember. The author describes the process of designing a new audio interactive apparatus for Alzheimer's care, in the context of an active multidisciplinary research project led by the author in collaboration with a longterm care centre (EHPAD) in Burgundy (France), a geriatrician, a gerontologist, psychologists and caregivers. The apparatus, named Madeleines Sonores in reference to Proust's madeleine, have provided virtual soundscapes sounding for a year for 14 elderly people hosted in the dedicated Alzheimer's unit of the care centre, 24/7. Empiric aspects of sonic interactivity are discussed in relation to dementia and to the activity of caring. Scientific studies are initiated to evaluate the benefits of such a disposal in Alzheimer's disease therapy and in caring dementia.

Mots clés: Sound design; Soundscapes; Sonic Interaction; Cognitive Rehabilitation; Alzheimer's Desease; Dementia; Caring; Quality of Life; Virtual Reality

Domaines: Psychiatrie et santé mentale; Son [cs.SD]; Musique, musicologie et arts de la scène; Synthèse d'image et réalité virtuelle [cs.GR]

Frédéric Voisin. Designing Virtual Soundscapes for Alzheimer's Disease Care. 14th International Symposium on Computer Music Multidisciplinary Research, Oct 2019, Marseille, France. ⟨hal-02370448⟩