LABORATORY STUDIES OF A SOUND-SYSTEM THAT MAINTAINS WAKEFULNESS

Two studies investigated the effects of a waking sound that enhances w akefulness. Study I investigated the effect of the sound level and Stu dy 2 the effect of time and frequency variability of the sound. The re cordings of EEG and subjective ratings were analysed to study the effe ct upon wakefulness. The waking effect increased when sound varied in duration and frequency. A number of specific conditions necessary for the making effect are described. The exposure should be based on high frequency sounds and several tones chosen to produce disharmony. The e xposure should be loud enough to be heard over the masking background noise. The duration and tonal quality should be variable from one pres entation to another.