Presence accompanying induced hearing loss: Implications for immersive virtual environments

Gilkey and Weisenberger (1995) discussed the experience of sound and its im portance for a sense of presence within an encompassing virtual environment . In this paper, we develop Gilkey and Weisenberger's work in three ways. F irstly, we review theoretical work regarding the role of auditory informati on in perceptual experience. Secondly, we report on previous empirical stud ies of induced hearing loss that have implicitly addressed issues pertinent to an understanding of presence in virtual environments. We draw on this w ork to further inform the theoretical contribution made to the study of pre sence with regards to auditory experience. Thirdly, we report our empirical work on induced hearing loss, addressing issues associated with presence u sing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies. We report our finding s and discuss methodological issues surrounding the investigation of presen ce. This work found that participants have difficulty in expressing their e xperience within the constraints of more-traditional research methods. Evid ence emerged of different forms of presence experience, including, in our t erminology, social, environmentally anchored, and self-presence. Finally, w e discuss the implications of this work for the development of immersive vi rtual environments.