Several years ago, we started seeing reports about the impact of music on people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. Now we’re seeing a rise in other uses of sound, from audio erotica and spatial audio to ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) triggers that evoke feelings of euphoria, calm, or even tingling. Brands are producing original sounds for TikTok.
More and more, sound is seen as a potential solution to at least some of what ails modern society. Sound baths and sound mapping are prescribed to soothe the soul and reduce anxiety. More people also are turning to brown noise to induce relaxation or improve focus.
In 2023, we’ll continue to explore new (and old) sound applications, including the links between voice and disease.
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health are amassing voice data to develop an AI that can diagnose diseases—from neurological disorders and autism to cancer—based on a person’s speech. Sounds good to us.