Developing and Selecting Auditory Warnings for a Real-Time Behavioral Intervention.
Real-time sensing and computing technologies are increasingly used in the delivery of real-time health behavior interventions. Auditory signals play a critical role in many of these interventions, impacting not only behavioral response but also treatment adherence and participant retention. Yet, few behavioral interventions that employ auditory feedback report the characteristics of sounds used and even fewer design signals specifically for their intervention. This paper describes a four-step process used in developing and selecting auditory warnings for a behavioral trial designed to reduce indoor secondhand smoke exposure. In step one, relevant information was gathered from ergonomic and behavioral science literature to assist a panel of research assistants in developing criteria for intervention-specific auditory feedback. In step two, multiple sounds were identified through internet searches and modified in accordance with the developed criteria, and two sounds were selected that best met those criteria. In step three, a survey was conducted among 64 persons from the primary sampling frame of the larger behavioral trial to compare the relative aversiveness of sounds, determine respondents' reported behavioral reactions to those signals, and assess participant's preference between sounds. In the final step, survey results were used to select the appropriate sound for auditory warnings. Ultimately, a single-tone pulse, 500 milliseconds (ms) in length that repeats every 270 ms for 3 cycles was chosen for the behavioral trial. The methods described herein represent one example of steps that can be followed to develop and select auditory feedback tailored for a given behavioral intervention.
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA.
John
J
Bellettiere
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA.
Suzanne C
SC
Hughes
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA.
Sandy
S
Liles
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA.
Marie
M
Boman-Davis
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA.
Neil
N
Klepeis
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA.
Elaine
E
Blumberg
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA.
Jeff
J
Mills
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA ; Computational Science Research Center, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA.
Vincent
V
Berardi
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA.
Saori
S
Obayashi
EME Systems LLC, Berkeley California, USA.
T Tracy
TT
Allen
Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA.
Melbourne F
MF
Hovell
Alarm Design; Auditory Alerts; Auditory Warning Design; Behavioral Intervention; Immediate Feedback; Real-Time Feedback; Warning Sounds