Auditory Environmental Design and Executive Control: Evaluating Background Sound Effects on Interference Resolution in a Human–System Task

Background sounds, including music, nature sounds, and ambient tones, are increasingly used in work and digital settings based on the assumption that they enhance attention and cognitive performance. However, limited Human Factors research has examined whether auditory environments influence executive control. This study investigated the effects of binaural beats, nature sounds, PlantWave bio-sonification music, and silence on interference resolution using a computerized Stroop task. A total of 143 university students were randomly assigned to one of four auditory conditions while completing congruent and incongruent Stroop trials. Results revealed a significant Stroop interference effect, with slower responses and lower accuracy on incongruent than congruent trials. However, auditory condition did not significantly affect reaction time interference or accuracy cost. These findings suggest that short-duration executive control remains robust across auditory environments and highlight the need to empirically validate claims of cognitive enhancement before incorporating engineered sound into human–system design.