Throwing their voice
I recently received an article about the use of hypersonic sound in advertising. According to the article advertisers have been using the technology to produce spooky experiences in the public.
Apparently, hypersonic sound is a process by which sound is converted into an ultrasonic signal. This has the advantage that the sound can be broadcast in a beam at a specific location. It also means sound does not spread out the side and rear of the speaker creating unwanted noise pollution. When the ultrasonic bean hits a surface it makes it resonate. This includes the head of a potential listener causing them to hear the sound. This means it is able to play sounds or voices in very specific locations so they seem to almost come from within the listener’s head.
I have to say I was quiet sceptical whether hypersonic sound was real as the use of hyper and sonic was just too star-trek to be true. The original article also made me paranoid of the technology which was ironic as it described how hypersonic sound was used together with bill boards to promote a TV show called paranoid state. However, a quick search failed to produce anything to discredit so for now I will reserve judgement.
The article on the ‘paranoid state’ billboard: Schizophrenia is the new ad gimmick
More about hypersonic sound
Tags: Advertising, hypersonic, sound
