The study of the relationship between individuals (and communities) and the sounds of the environment that surrounds them. Two different examples of sonic environments (soundscapes) might be urban (a city) or rural (the countryside). People working in acoustic ecology are very interested in how the sounds of the city, and man made objects, affect the behaviour of the humans who live in such busy and loud environments.
Those working in acoustic ecology are also interested in preserving the soundscapes and natural sound environments of nature before human activity destroys them.
The study of the effects of the acoustic environment, or soundscape, on the physical responses or behavioural characteristics of those living within it. Its particular aim is to draw attention to imbalances which may have unhealthy effects. [EARS, Truax 1999].
