- Describe the anatomy of the auditory system
- Understand how sound waves shape our hearing
- Explain how we perceive pitch and localize sound
- Describe types of hearing loss
Can you hear a mosquito?
(And no, we’re not talking about the bug…) Some hearing loss is progressive as we age.
Congenital deafness
That is incorrect. Congenital deafness occurs when someone is born without the ability to hear.
Conductive hearing loss
That is incorrect. Conductive hearing loss is associated with a failure in the vibration of the eardrum and/or movement of the ossicles, which is not age-related.
Sensorineural hearing loss
Correct! Sensorineural hearing loss accelerates with age and can be caused by prolonged exposure to loud noises
Progressive hearing loss
That is incorrect. While some hearing loss can be progressive, progressive hearing loss is not a type of hearing loss that we’ve covered.
As an example, as we age, children and teenagers are generally capable of hearing some high-frequency sounds that adults are generally not able to hear (Jayakody et al., 2018). With this in mind, Howard Stapleton created a device that became known as “The Mosquito”, which emits a high-frequency buzzing sound (17.4 kHz) that most children and teenagers can hear, but adults cannot. You might be wondering why he would create such a device.
Stapleton claimed The Mosquito could be an effective anti-loitering device, discouraging teenagers from congregating wherever The Mosquito was placed. For several years, The Mosquito was used in Europe and Australia before it was banned in many countries, with officials claiming its use may not be safe or ethical.[1][2]
What are some potential negative social implications regarding the use of The Mosquito?
The Mosquito is one example of how communities and groups have sought to use design to exclude certain groups of people. This practice is commonly done in the design world through something known as hostile architecture. Have you ever seen a park bench with barriers between the seats (so people can’t lay down), or railings with spikes (so people won’t rest there)? Hostile architecture involves designing public spaces intentionally to guide or limit human behavior, including deterring unhoused individuals or preventing certain behaviors deemed undesirable. These tactics extend beyond sound-based deterrents like “The Mosquito” to physical installations such as strategically placed spikes, sloped benches, or randomly timed sprinklers.
From a psychological perspective, these deterrents and restrictions not only have an immediate effect on behavior, but they can also have profound psychological implications. They can lead to feelings of exclusion, stigmatization, and heightened stress among those targeted, potentially exacerbating mental health issues.[3]
Inclusive Design
In contrast, the principles of inclusive design aim to foster environments that are accessible and comfortable for all individuals, regardless of their age, ability, or status. This approach also reflects the underlying psychological principle of belongingness, the human emotional need to be an accepted member of a group.
Moreover, inclusive design intentionally incorporates natural elements, acknowledging the well-established psychological benefits of exposure to green spaces. Research demonstrates that even passive exposure to nature can lead to stress reduction, mood enhancement, increased ability to refocus attention, and even pain alleviation.
Some psychologists work in the domains of environmental psychology or community psychology. They recognize that our physical surroundings can influence our behavior, emotional state, and overall mental health. For example, the Centre for Urban Design and Mental Health is an organization with people from various backgrounds, founded by psychiatrist Layla McCay, with the goal of shaping urban spaces in ways that promote mental health and social inclusivity.
- Can you identify any examples of hostile architecture in your local community? What behaviors do you think these designs are intended to deter?
- How might the implementation of hostile architecture affect the mental health of individuals in the community, particularly those who are targeted by these design elements?
- How can the principles of inclusive design counteract the negative psychological impacts of hostile architecture? Can you think of an example of how inclusive design might be implemented in a public space?
- Reflecting on “The Mosquito” device and examples of hostile architecture, what does this tell you about the role of perception and sensation in our interactions with the environment?
- Assembly debate on 25 June 2010 (27th Sitting) (see Doc. 12186, report of the Committee on Culture, Science and Education, rapporteur: Mr Wach; and Doc. 12261, opinion of the Social, Health and Family Affairs Committee, rapporteur: Mr Volontè). Text adopted by the Assembly on 25 June 2010 (27th Sitting). ↵
- Jayakody, D. M. P., Friedland, P. L., Martins, R. N., Sohrabi, H. R. (2018). Impact of aging on the auditory system and related cognitive functions: A narrative review. Frontiers in Neuroscience, 12(), 125. doi:10.3389/fnins.2018.00125 ↵
- Bennett, K. (2020, December 28). Is Your Town Filled with Hostile Architecture? Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/modern-minds/202012/is-your-town-filled-hostile-architecture ↵