We are currently running two similar studies within the Sound Sensitivity Project. One of the studies involves testing the sound management technology in VR trials in the lab and the other involves testing it in a community setting. Participants are welcome to take part in either or both of these studies. For this research, we are seeking participants who have a formal autism diagnosis, who experience decreased sound tolerance, and who do not have a hearing impairment.
Sound Sensitivity Project - VR Study
Please see the flyer for this study here
What do we want to know?
We are currently recruiting autistic youth and adults who have specific issues with sound sensitivity. We are interested in learning more about how autistic individuals cope with sound sensitivity, how sensitivity has impacted their lives, and physiological and behavioral reactions to certain sounds played through a set of headphones and through a virtual reality (VR) headset. Sound sensitivity includes being over-reactive to sounds in general, or certain types of sounds.
Who are we looking for?
- Autistic youth and adults with a diagnosis (ages 12+) living in the Lower Mainland area who do not have a hearing impairment or intellectual disability.
- Must experience over-reactivity to sounds in general and/or certain types of sounds
What to expect:
Participation in this study will be divided into two sessions:
- Session 1: You will be asked to complete online questionnaires about your experiences with sound sensitivity. For youth participants, we will also ask that a caregiver complete a set of online questionnaires. This Session will take approximately 1 hour to complete.
- Session 2: You will listen to certain sounds at different volumes through a set of headphones to determine your comfort level with these sounds. You will also be asked to wear a virtual reality headset (VR) to become immersed in virtual environments that contain sounds, and you will be asked to rate your comfort levels with these sounds. We will then use our new technology to help with sound sensitivity and ask you for your input. You will also complete a brief cognitive task. This Session will take approximately 2 hours to complete.
Session 1 is completed online, and Session 2 is completed in-person at SFU’s Burnaby campus.
We are offering $30/hr to participants and $20/hr to parents of youth participants for their participation.
How to sign up: For more information or if you are interested in participating, please contact Meryssa at addl@sfu.ca.
Principal Investigators: Dr. Elina Birmingham [ebirming@sfu.ca], Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C. and Dr. Grace Iarocci [giarocci@sfu.ca] Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C.
Ethics Protocol H19-00159
Sound Sensitivity Project - Field Testing Study
Please see the flyer for this study here
What do we want to know?
We are currently recruiting autistic youth and adults (ages 12 and older) who have specific issues with sound sensitivity. We are interested in learning more about how autistic individuals cope with sound sensitivity, how sensitivity has impacted their lives, and physiological and behavioral reactions to certain sounds played through a set of headphones and while out in the community.
Who are we looking for?
- Autistic youth and adults with a diagnosis (ages 12+) and without hearing impairment or intellectual disability living in the Lower Mainland area.
- Must experience over-reactivity to at least one of the following sounds: sirens, traffic/cars honking, construction noise, dogs barking, or babies crying.
What to expect:
Participating in this study involves completing questionnaires online, coming into the lab, and meeting in the community:
- Online Component: You will be asked to complete online questionnaires about your experiences with sound sensitivity. This session will take approximately 1 hour to complete. Caregivers of youth participants will also be asked to complete an online questionnaire.
- Lab Component: You will listen to certain sounds at different volumes through a set of headphones to determine your comfort level with these sounds. We will then use our new technology to help with sound sensitivity and ask you for your input. You will also complete a brief cognitive task. These sessions will take approximately 2 hours to complete.
- Community Component: You will listen to sounds in your environment through headphones connected to a mobile device. You will be asked to rate your comfort levels with these sounds. We will also ask for your feedback on our sound management technology. This community session will take place outside in the community and will take approximately 1 hour to complete.
Participation in this study is broken into different sessions that are completed online, at SFU Burnaby, and in the community.
We are offering $30/hr to participants and $20/hr to caregivers of youth participants.
How to sign up: For more information or if you are interested in participating, please contact Meryssa at addl@sfu.ca.
Principal Investigators: Dr. Elina Birmingham [ebirming@sfu.ca], Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C. and Dr. Grace Iarocci [giarocci@sfu.ca] Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, B.C.
Ethics Protocol H19-00159
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