ASA 126th Meeting Denver 1993 October 4-8

4pED12. MultiSensory Sound Lab for Educational and therapeutic applications.

Norman Lederman

Oval Window Audio, 33 Wildflower Ct., Nederland, CO 80466

Kimberly V. Fisher

Univ. of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK 73190

The MultiSensory Sound Lab electronically processes sound signals from microphones, musical instruments/recordings, electronic stethoscopes, and other sources and directs them to loudspeakers, a vibrating floor, and various large visual technologies that display the frequency, spectral, intensity, and time aspects of the signal. Originally developed for use with deaf children, the lab provides visual and tactile information about sound that is useful in a wide range of applications ranging from instruction in acoustics and physics of sound, to speech and music therapy for normally hearing, as well as, hearing-impaired students. Example clinical and educational applications will be presented. Data from pre- and post-testing show that sound lab activities result in significant concept learning and skill acquisition. User surveys shows that the sound lab eases teaching tasks and motivates students. Note: this presentation will serve as introduction to the MultiSensory Sound Lab tours that will be conducted at the University of Colorado. [Project supported by the U.S. Department of Education.]