Perceiving time-varying data requires sound dimensions in which change is readily heard.

Evidence

Sonification extends the use of sound to convey information about local systems and environment to exploring measured data sets in much more detail, most notably in terms of dynamic changes with time rather than, for example, as an indication of a single state of a system. There may be a number of time-varying attributes of interest in a particular data set, and/or there may be a number of different individual data measurements of interest. Monitoring a dynamically changing aspect of data requires the use of an aspect of sound in which dynamic changes are readily perceived; changes in pitch are commonly employed, as are modifications to timbre. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 2692

Categorization

• DEFINE: Sharpens the distinction between sonification (dynamic, time-varying) and mere state signaling.
• XREF: Builds on the perception chapters’ treatment of pitch and timbre as change-salient dimensions.