Noise-cancelling, steps and soundscapes: the effect of auditory stimulation on presence in virtual realities while walking

This study investigates the influence of different auditory stimuli on perceived presence, the feeling of "being there", on a walk through a park-like virtual environment. A single-factorial design with five levels varying the surrounding sound impressions was employed, including the conditions "No Headphones", "Noise-Cancelling", "Steps", "Soundscape" and "Steps & Soundscape", in order to find out which of the conditions would enhance the feeling of presence most. 36 participants rated their impression of presence using a questionnaire after walking on a treadmill while wearing a head-mounted display and Noise-Cancelling headphones. Statistical analysis of the data showed that the conditions including soundscapes resulted in significantly higher ratings of presence and realism, compared to all other auditory conditions. The results are placed into the context of findings in other studies and point to further research needs regarding the auditory enhancement of virtual environments.