Abishek Choubey's 50% seminar - Towards Sonic Interaction Design for Sleep

Discussant: Björn Rasch, University of Fribourg

Supervisors: Sandra Pauletto, KTH, Thomas Andrillon, ICM, Miriam Akkermann, TUD

Abstract:

Sleep is essential to cognitive function and overall health, yet many people struggle to obtain sufficient and restorative sleep due to external disruptions, sleep disorders, or other health-related issues. As a result, non-pharmacological interventions, such as auditory stimulation, have become an increasingly popular approach to improve sleep quality. While much research has focused on music for sleep, less is known about the broader range of sounds that may promote sleep as well as facilitate reflection on a person’s experience of sleep. Moreover, research on using sound for sleep in the context of an interactive intervention is also limited.

Drawing on sleep science, sound and music computing, and sonic interaction design, the research project combines physiological measurement with qualitative design research. It aims to identify sound preferences and contextual factors relevant to sleep, and extend this by examining how sounds can be integrated into personalised sonic interaction designs that support and shape sleep experiences, and enable reflection on sleep.

In this 50% seminar, I will present findings from both published and ongoing studies, and discuss how these inform the development of sonic interaction designs for sleep. Future plans for extending this work will also be discussed. This session will invite feedback and open discussion to further refine the research direction.