Aurally

Aurally describes the manner in which something is perceived through the sense of hearing. It refers to the auditory experience or the way in which sounds are received and interpreted by the ear and brain. This includes not only the sounds themselves but also their characteristics like pitch, timbre, volume, and the context in which they are presented. The term encompasses the processing of sound, encompassing everything from individual frequencies to complex soundscapes. It's essential in music, speech recognition, sound design, and various scientific fields, particularly those exploring psychoacoustics and auditory perception. Aural information is often distinct from visual or tactile data, representing a unique sensory pathway.

Aurally meaning with examples

• The concert hall was designed to provide an optimal aural experience, with carefully considered acoustics that minimized echo and maximized sound clarity. The musicians, conscious of the room, played a piece in the key of C major. The audience were absorbed in the sounds, closing their eyes and enjoying the beautiful presentation of the music.
• During the audio quality assessment, the engineer evaluated the recording aurally, discerning any distortion, background noise, or other imperfections in the sound profile that could diminish the music experience. The engineer made adjustments to the master to meet their high demands.
• The therapist used an aural prompt, a gentle sound that would signal it was safe to speak. He knew a soothing sound was the way to get the best out of his patient, so that his patient would be free to speak whatever they had to say.
• Many languages have their roots aurally; through spoken communication that has then, over centuries, come to be written. By using sound you are far more likely to communicate over long distances, which is the purpose of language.
• When developing the virtual reality game, the sound designer considered the aural environment in order to create a fully immersive experience, carefully positioning sounds in the virtual space, so that each player experiences a heightened soundscape.