Reciprocal auditory attenuation affects looking behaviour and playing level but not ensemble synchrony: A psychoacoustical study of violin duos

Abstract

Evidence suggests that musicians may be more susceptible to developing a hearing impairment due to increased exposure to loud sounds over the lifespan. Hearing impairments can affect musical performance behaviours, yet research suggests they do not significantly affect ensemble synchrony unless the hearing loss is severe or profound. This study investigated the effect of reduced auditory feedback on ensemble synchrony, looking behaviour and playing level. Four violinists, with self-reported normal hearing, formed two duos in acoustically-isolated rooms separated by a glass window. Each player received feedback from their own and their co-performer’s playing attenuated by 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 dB. Video recordings of their looking behaviours were coded and signed asynchronies were identified in the audio files. The strongest effects found were bi-directional changes to playing levels as a result of auditory feedback levels, which increased when a player’s own feedback was reduced and reduced when co-performer feedback was attenuated. Violinists’ looking behaviour was found to increase when co-performer feedback was attenuated by 20 dB or more relative to their own, such that they glanced more frequently and looked for longer towards their partners. There were no effects of auditory attenuation on ensemble synchrony, even with 40 dB attenuation. The results indicate that “self-to-other” sound level ratios are more likely to prompt compensatory musical performance behaviours than an individual’s hearing ability.