The Possibility of Using Electroacoustic Solutions for Enhancing Acoustic Privacy in Psychotherapy Premises

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36336/akustika20265037

Klíčová slova:

Active Noise Control (ANC), Sound Masking., Architectural Acoustics, Psychotherapy, Sound Insulation, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Data Privacy

Abstrakt

In the context of the growing demand for psychological assistance in Ukraine, especially in the post-war period, the quality of the acoustic environment in therapeutic offices is becoming a critical factor for treatment success. Ensuring complete confidentiality and low background noise levels (low Noise Criterion, NC) is a therapeutic requirement. Traditional passive sound insulation methods are often difficult to implement, particularly in existing buildings where doors and windows act as "weak links" with insufficient R'w indices. This paper presents an analysis of existing and prospective electroacoustic concepts to address this problem. To ensure the reliability of hybrid system control and reduce operational risks when integrating Artificial Intelligence algorithms, the paper proposes a controller model based on the Finite State Machine (FSM) method. A deep analysis of engineering, safety, and ethical risks is conducted, including physical actuator limitations, hardware limiters, and data privacy requirements (on-device processing) when integrating AI. The article presents a detailed experimental validation protocol. The authors conclude that a hybrid system — combining traditional architectural and electroacoustic methods — is optimal, and present a roadmap for prototype development.

Biografie autora

  • Illia Melnyk, National Technical University of Ukraine "Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute"

    Illia Melnyk is a PhD student at the Faculty of Electronics, National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”. He holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from the Kyiv National University of Construction and Architecture (2012) and a Master of Psychology from the Interregional Academy of Personnel Management (2024).His professional and academic profile operates at the intersection of engineering and architectural acoustics, psychoacoustics, and clinical psychology. In addition to his multidisciplinary academic background, he is a practicing psychologist, a certified Gestalt therapist, and the founder of Isophon, a company specializing in architectural acoustics and professional soundproofing.His current doctoral research is focused on the acoustic requirements for premises designed for personal and group psychotherapy. This work addresses the critical need for objective acoustic criteria — including sound insulation, reverberation time, and background noise control — specifically tailored for trauma-sensitive environments. Furthermore, his research explores the implementation of hybrid electroacoustic solutions, combining passive architectural measures with Active Noise Control (ANC) and sound masking technologies to ensure strict speech privacy and confidentiality.His broader research interests include the evaluation of subjective acoustic comfort versus objective criteria in modern offices, as well as the acoustic optimization of public infrastructure, such as metro stations.

  • Oleksii Bogdanov, National Technical University of Ukraine "Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute"

    Graduated NTUU "KPI" in 2004 in the specialty "Acoustic equipment and systems." From 2004 to 2012 - assistant of Department of Acoustics and Acoustoelectronics. Since 2012 - associate professor of Department of Acoustics and Acoustoelectronics.
    The patent of Ukraine owner number 51439 - "Method of determining the depth and thickness of the inner layer of the three-layer package"
    In 2011 defended thesis for the degree of PhD, specialty 05.09.08 "Applied Acoustics and Sound technics" on "Apply for photothermoacoustic conversion tasks flaw"

Publikováno

31.07.2026

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Jak citovat

The Possibility of Using Electroacoustic Solutions for Enhancing Acoustic Privacy in Psychotherapy Premises. (2026). Akustika, 50(50), 37-57. https://doi.org/10.36336/akustika20265037