Directional sound reduces cognitive load and improves VR navigation safety
C-LISTEN: Cognitive Load Impacts of Sensory-Triggered Environmental Navigation in Virtual Reality
Human-Computer Interaction
Summary
Virtual reality can be overwhelming because it uses lots of sights and sounds at once, making it hard to think clearly. The authors studied how adding smart sound cues that guide users can help lower the mental effort needed when moving around in VR. They found that these sounds actually reduce cognitive load, making the experience easier and safer, especially for people who may have cognitive challenges. They also measured how balance and pupil size relate to mental effort during VR navigation.
What this means in practice
- •For vr developers: Design VR navigation systems using directional auditory cues to reduce mental effort and improve user safety.
- •For rehabilitation therapists: Incorporate sound-guided VR exercises that lower cognitive load to make therapy more accessible for individuals with cognitive impairments.
Authors
Md. Monowar Hossain, M. Rasel Mahmud
Abstract
Nowadays, Virtual Reality (VR) systems are more helpful for making decisions, training, and rehabilitation. Multimodal settings in these systems impose a significant balance and cognitive difficulties. Additionally, decreased performance, higher cognitive load, user overwhelm, and limited accessibility of VR technology can be caused by excessive auditory, visual, and sensory stimulation. In our pilot study, we examine the strategic design of directional auditory cues to improve cognitive load and enhance user experience in virtual environments. This research also enhances fundamental knowledge that auditory feedback reduces cognitive load in VR, with statistical analysis confirming this improvement (p = .0011). This study investigates how postural balance and pupil diameter correlate with cognitive load while the users navigate. Moreover, this study provides realistic overview design guidelines for accessibility, which will make VR experiences safer and more useful for everyone, including people with cognitive impairments.