Acoustical Society of America to Showcase AI Applications in Speech Disorders and Environmental Acoustics

AI Takes Center Stage in Acoustic Research and Applications

The Acoustical Society of America (ASA) is set to host its 188th meeting jointly with the International Commission for Acoustics (ICA) from May 18-23, 2025, at the New Orleans Marriott. This gathering promises to showcase groundbreaking research in acoustics, with artificial intelligence (AI) playing a prominent role in various applications 1

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Clinical AI for Speech Disorders

One of the highlights of the conference is the presentation by Marisha Speights from Northwestern University on using clinical AI for diagnosing speech impairments in children. Speights will discuss the transformation of child speech data into clinical-grade AI pipelines for detecting speech-language impairments 2

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. This research represents a significant step forward in leveraging AI technology for early diagnosis and intervention in pediatric speech disorders.

Environmental Acoustics and AI

The conference will also feature presentations on environmental acoustics, where AI and advanced technologies play crucial roles:

1. Océane Boulais from the University of California, San Diego, will present findings on enhancing coral larvae settlement using acoustic enrichment, demonstrating the potential of sound in coral reef preservation efforts 2

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2. Kent Gee from Brigham Young University will discuss the effects of Falcon-9 ascent sonic booms on communities in Ventura County, California, highlighting the intersection of space technology and acoustic impact assessment 2

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3. Gregory Miller from Cerami and Associates will present strategies for noise control in data centers near residential areas, addressing an increasingly relevant issue as digital infrastructure expands 2

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Innovative Acoustic Technologies

Several presentations will focus on novel acoustic technologies with potential AI applications:

1. Dajun Zhang from the University of Wisconsin-Madison will showcase research on remotely moving objects underwater using sound, employing metamaterial-assisted acoustic manipulation 2

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2. Junfei Li from Purdue University will present on foldable acoustic metamaterials for mitigating underwater broadband low-frequency noise, which could have implications for marine life and underwater operations 2

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3. Connor Hodges from the University of Texas at Austin will discuss using sound to 'see' unexploded munitions on the seafloor, demonstrating acoustic technology's potential in safety and environmental applications 2

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Broader Impacts and Accessibility

The ASA is making efforts to increase the accessibility and dissemination of acoustic research:

1. The society will offer livestreamed press conferences and in-person sessions throughout the week, allowing for broader participation and engagement 1

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2. Lay language papers, which are 300-500 word summaries of presentations written for a general audience, will be made available. These papers, accompanied by multimedia content, aim to make complex acoustic concepts more accessible to the public 1

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3. The conference will use the hashtag #ASA188 on social media to share highlights and foster online discussions 1

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This comprehensive gathering of acoustic experts and researchers underscores the growing importance of AI and advanced technologies in the field of acoustics, from healthcare applications to environmental conservation and urban planning. The ASA188 meeting serves as a platform for showcasing cutting-edge research and fostering collaborations that could shape the future of acoustic science and its practical applications.