Goldsmiths, of the University of London, has developed a software system that translates sound into radiating concentric circles on a screen. The Lumisonic theoretically allows the deaf to “see” sounds and hopefully react and interact with them, and controls how it presents the circles based on the pitch of the input audio.
Dr. Mick Grierson explains:
“If I make a sound and lower the pitch, the rings contract,” stated Dr Mick Grierson, from Goldsmiths, University of London, who developed the system.
Lumisonic can respond to computer-generated noises or those from a microphone.
To be real, converting sounds into visual stimuli isn’t exactly new. The real news is that some Scot percussionist named Evelyn Glennie can create a good beat—despite being deaf since she was young. According to various sources, that fact is almost secondary, thanks to apparent musical capability.
Maybe researchers should concentrate on trying to comprehend her capability to create and feel sound, without really hearing it, and package it for other deaf people to learn? It would be more practical if deaf people can learn to feel sound, without the help of gadgets. Disclaimer: We’re not deaf, so we might have no frickin’ idea of what we’re writing about.
Tags: Evelyn Glennie, Goldsmiths, Lumisonic, Mick Grierson, University of London
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