Outputs (10)

Adaptive Sound Ethics Framework: Consent, Tone, and Respect in Feedback Design (2025)
Report
McGregor, I. (2025). Adaptive Sound Ethics Framework: Consent, Tone, and Respect in Feedback Design. Geneva, Switzerland (Zenodo is hosted by CERN): Edinburgh Napier University

This technical report outlines an ethical framework for adaptive sound feedback systems grounded in behavioural consent, emotional tone sensitivity, and user autonomy. It introduces novel concepts including passive consent loops, quiet mode, tone mis... Read More about Adaptive Sound Ethics Framework: Consent, Tone, and Respect in Feedback Design.

The Auditory Contract: Designing Trustworthy Sound in IoT (2025)
Report
McGregor, I. (2025). The Auditory Contract: Designing Trustworthy Sound in IoT

This technical report introduces the concept of the auditory contract, the unspoken agreement between users and smart devices to interpret sound as meaningful and trustworthy. It proposes ten practical guidelines for designing sound in the Internet o... Read More about The Auditory Contract: Designing Trustworthy Sound in IoT.

Stethoscope 2.0: How Everyday Devices Could Help Doctors Listen Differently (2025)
Report
McGregor, I. (2025). Stethoscope 2.0: How Everyday Devices Could Help Doctors Listen Differently

Traditional diagnostic tools like the stethoscope have long helped clinicians detect signs of illness through direct contact and active listening. In an era of ubiquitous sensing, the diagnostic potential of devices already in common use, smartphones... Read More about Stethoscope 2.0: How Everyday Devices Could Help Doctors Listen Differently.

Stabilising Sound: A Perceptual Audio Framework for Balance Support Inspired by Vestibular Stimulation (2025)
Report
McGregor, I. (2025). Stabilising Sound: A Perceptual Audio Framework for Balance Support Inspired by Vestibular Stimulation. Edinburgh Napier University

This note outlines a proposal for a perceptual audio system that may help stabilise balance and reduce fall risk using low-frequency sound cues delivered through everyday listening devices. It is inspired by recent findings showing that 100 Hz audito... Read More about Stabilising Sound: A Perceptual Audio Framework for Balance Support Inspired by Vestibular Stimulation.

Perceptually Adaptive Alarm Systems Using Doppler-Based Pitch Modulation (2025)
Report
McGregor, I. (2025). Perceptually Adaptive Alarm Systems Using Doppler-Based Pitch Modulation. Edinburgh Napier University

This technical note presents a novel alarm system design that uses Doppler-based pitch and amplitude modulation to help people better understand emergency situations through sound alone. By embedding intuitive rising and falling pitch cues into famil... Read More about Perceptually Adaptive Alarm Systems Using Doppler-Based Pitch Modulation.

Sound Dominates, We Just Forgot to Listen (2025)
Other
McGregor, I. (2025). Sound Dominates, We Just Forgot to Listen

This public commentary explores the under-recognised role of sound in perception, memory, protest, and shared space. Challenging the assumption that humans are primarily visual beings, the piece argues that sound is more immediate, socially shared, a... Read More about Sound Dominates, We Just Forgot to Listen.

Perceptual Calibration and Passive Adaptation in Under-Pillow Audio Systems for Sleep and Care Environments (2025)
Report
McGregor, I. (2025). Perceptual Calibration and Passive Adaptation in Under-Pillow Audio Systems for Sleep and Care Environments

This technical report outlines a perceptually grounded calibration model for under-pillow and near-field audio systems. The approach enables real-time tuning based on how sound is actually perceived through materials like foam and fabric. It supports... Read More about Perceptual Calibration and Passive Adaptation in Under-Pillow Audio Systems for Sleep and Care Environments.

Perceptually Adaptive Multi-Microphone Audio System for Inclusive Group Communication and Environmental Awareness (2025)
Report
McGregor, I. (2025). Perceptually Adaptive Multi-Microphone Audio System for Inclusive Group Communication and Environmental Awareness. Applied Informatics, Edinburgh Napier University

This system proposes a perceptually grounded, user-behaviour-adaptive audio enhancement architecture that supports clarity, spatial stability, and inclusive listening in complex environments. Leveraging a triangulated microphone array (left ear, righ... Read More about Perceptually Adaptive Multi-Microphone Audio System for Inclusive Group Communication and Environmental Awareness.

Perceptually Adaptive Speech Clarity System for Reverberant Environments (2025)
Report
McGregor, I. (2025). Perceptually Adaptive Speech Clarity System for Reverberant Environments. Not commissioned – self-initiated research and disclosure

This document outlines a perceptually adaptive audio system designed to improve the intelligibility of spoken announcements in highly reverberant environments. Using speech buffering, pacing modification, spectral shaping, and real-time feedback, the... Read More about Perceptually Adaptive Speech Clarity System for Reverberant Environments.

A Perceptual Approach to HRTF Personalisation: From Localisation to Spatial Literacy (2025)
Report
Mcgregor, I. (2025). A Perceptual Approach to HRTF Personalisation: From Localisation to Spatial Literacy

Efforts to personalise Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs) have traditionally focused on anatomical accuracy, modelling the head, ears and torso to predict how sound should reach an individual’s ears. While valuable, such approaches often require... Read More about A Perceptual Approach to HRTF Personalisation: From Localisation to Spatial Literacy.