Description
Increased awareness of prevalent neurodivergent traits has encouraged conversations around aural diversity; this encompasses symptomatic conditions including Autism Spectrum Conditions, Tinnitus, hearing impairments, and other diverse hearing experience types (DHET) that are not often accommodated in traditional societal spaces. There is often lack of awareness from society members with typical hearing towards those with DHET; issues include ignorance, lack of technological knowledge among venue owners, and the societal challenges of being in a minority group where the needs of the majority are prioritised. Substantial research conducted in music and wellbeing already evidences the benefits of music listening for society. However, traits including autistic burnout may prevent relaxation and enjoyment towards event attendance due to sensory avoidance and the additional strain of masking during societal gatherings. Technological innovations to support this have been present in some venues across the UK since 2015 (e.g. The Lowry in Salford) and assist those who require them. Limited research has been conducted into the technology and autistic individuals’ opinions on these systems. By filling part of that gap, this study shows the importance of making the entertainment arts accessible for all.Through semi-structured interviews, six participants were asked about elements of their venue experiences including auditory sensitivities and certain technological innovations used in UK venues. Thematic analysis was used to collate themes from participant responses.
Findings revealed four overarching themes: Sensitivity, Emotion, Venue Experiences, and Materials and Accessibility. Thirteen themes fell within these overarching themes, capturing each participant’s venue experiences, ranging from separation of emotion to crowd sensitivity.
Results coincide with studies on emotional and physiological attributes during music listening activities as well as characteristics of autistic burnout. More research is needed to understand autistic individuals’ experiences and whether the industry needs to promote auditory inclusivity for UK live music attendance to make the entertainment arts industry accessible for all, no matter how they hear the world.
| Period | Jul 2024 |
|---|---|
| Event title | European Society for the Cognition of Music (ESCOM) international conference 2024 |
| Event type | Conference |
| Location | York, United KingdomShow on map |
| Degree of Recognition | International |