Effect of noise sensitivity on psychophysiological response through monoscopic 360 video and stereoscopic sound environment experience: a randomized control trial

Noise sensitivity is a crucial factor affecting subjective psychophysiological responses to the acoustic environment of various indoor and outdoor spaces. This study examines how noise sensitivity or hyperacusis affects the recovery of emotional and autonomic nervous system (ANS) responses when experiencing various monoscopic 360 video and stereoscopic sound environments (urban and natural) that represent the actual environment. A total of 60 general participants with mild depression, stress, and anxiety were examined using a survey to investigate individual characteristics, including noise sensitivity, and K-means clustering was used to classify them into sensitivity groups. Emotional and physiological responses were measured using the Korean edition of Profile of Mood States and by assessing heart rate variability, respectively. Overall, the emotional recovery effect was greater in the natural than the urban environment, and the homeostatic mechanism of the ANS was better maintained, thereby increasing stress resistance. Noise sensitivity did not have considerable effect on psychophysiological recovery in the natural environment, but had a significant effect on emotional response in the urban environment. This can be used as basic data in seeking customized emotional recovery for individuals using monoscopic 360 video and stereoscopic sound technology in the future.