Did you know that 30% of the population is noise sensitive? People who are hard of hearing, neurodivergent, over 50, or living with conditions such as misophonia make up almost a third of the population. Despite this, the world can often be auditorially overwhelming, or too focused on audio, for noise-sensitive people. But a new event – a hearing wellness festival called Sownd Affects – wants to change all that and make the world more audio inclusive.
Hackney Council and the World Health Organisation’s World Hearing Forum have teamed up to bring the festival to London. It will run from March 3 – 9, 2025, in tandem with World Hearing Day 2025 (March 3). The festival, which is for the noise sensitive and sound curious alike, will feature immersive events, workshops, and more. There will be events to demonstrate how audio inclusivity can benefit everyoneas well as a spotlight on general hearing wellness.
The event is inspired by the lived experiences of founder Marion Marincat – who has hearing loss, but nonetheless harbours a deep passion for music. Marincat wanted to create “accessible, hearing-friendly environments that everyone can enjoy.”
Said Marion Marincat, World Health Organisation World Hearing Forum Facilitator:
“This festival sets a vital example of how communities can come together to address the often-overlooked issue of noise pollution and its impact on hearing health”.
At the hearing wellness festival
Events at Sownd Affects will range from those designed for people with noise sensitivities to those intended to bring about a greater understanding of the topic. The events “reimagine the way we listen, feel, and connect.” Highlights include:
- Immersive Gong Bath: A Deep Listening Experience (March 6)
- A relaxing sound journey designed to “soothe the nervous system, quiet the mind, and create space for reflection”.
- Intimate Sensory Workshop (March 6)
- An interactive workshop exploring how sound shapes intimacy and the connection between “sound, touch, and emotion”.
- Sownd Affects: The Main Event (March 6)
- “A multisensory evening of live music, interactive talks, and experimentation centred around noise sensitivity.” Expect everything from acoustic performances to experiments with sound and taste.
The hearing wellness festival is part of Hackney’s push for greater inclusion and understanding. Hackney hopes to become “the first audio-inclusive borough in the UK, demonstrating its commitment to health and accessibility for all.”
Said Deborah Barnett, Head of Equity, Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, Hackney Council:
“The Hearing Wellness Festival is an important step towards making Hackney a more inclusive community. By addressing the needs of our noise-sensitive residents, we’re leading the way in creating spaces that everyone can enjoy”.
Tickets net attendees entry to the festival, access to all stalls and workshops, a free drink, and a takeaway item. Concession tickets are available for students, seniors, and unwaged individuals.
Sownd Affects will run at multiple venues in Hackney from March 3 – 9, 2025. You can find out more and buy your tickets here.
