An independent research project on how teens engage with sound — and why hearing protection fails to change behavior
hum.audio is an applied design concept that grew out of my research — a way to explore whether hearing protection can feel expressive rather than restrictive for teens.
Hearing health matters – but for many teens, it feels invisible. This initiative was created to bridge the gap between science and everyday life, empowering teens and their partners to make sound decisions for their hearing future.
We’re exploring how teens and their partners experience sound, risk, and hearing protection in everyday spaces—online and offline. This research blends behavioral science and design methods for real-life impact.
Through hum.audio, an applied design studio, teens and their partners co-create and test expressive tools for hearing health. We use interviews, digital diaries, workshops, and playful design experiments to surface new insights.
Everything we learn is put into action—turning insights into fun, practical hearing protection concepts, campaigns, and shareable resources teens actually want to use.
We’re partnering with creators, audiologists, and designers to bring a spectrum of perspectives to the table. Hear from leaders shaping the future of hearing protection and audio design.
Stay tuned! We’ll be sharing updates, resources, and opportunities to get involved as the project grows. Want to participate or just curious? Connect with us below.
We’d love to hear from you! Have questions, want to partner, or just say hi? Email [email protected].