It’s no secret that loud music has a profound impact on our hearing – yet reducing the risks for music lovers, artists, and venue staff remains a major challenge. Thanks to a powerful new partnership between Sownd Affects and Oscar Acoustics, the tides are beginning to turn. Read our latest feature to discover how three Hackney venues are leading the way in becoming audio inclusive – and why this pioneering concept is set to take the live music industry by storm.
What is audio inclusivity?
Audio inclusivity is a concept developed by Marion Marincat, founder of Sownd Affects, to ensure venues and experiences are accessible and welcoming for people of all hearing abilities, including those who are noise-sensitive.
Speaking about what inspired him to found the company and drive this change, Marion said:
“Becoming profoundly deaf at 26 completely reshaped my relationship with sound. Despite wearing the best hearing aids available – programmed by excellent audiologists – live music venues, busy restaurants, even work meetings became overwhelming. That experience pushed me to move from a career in finance into hearing health, founding an audiology company in 2014.”
For three years, Marion spoke with countless patients, audiologists and manufacturers, and came to a crucial realisation: the industry wasn’t addressing the whole problem.
“It’s not only about what people should do when they have hearing loss – it’s that spaces aren’t designed for diverse hearing abilities. When I discovered that one in three people are noise sensitive (neurodivergent groups, those with tinnitus, misophonia, and many over 55) I knew something had to change.”
Achieving this change includes a tailored combination of acoustic improvements based on sound data from individual venues, staff training, and policies that create more inclusive environments with measurable results. Sownd Affects follows a structured three-step process – Assess, Enhance, Train – beginning with in-depth acoustic assessments that measure how sound behaves in each space and how it’s experienced by both audiences and staff. This data-driven approach pinpoints where clarity, balance and exposure levels can be improved. Once the physical soundscape is optimised, bespoke training ensures venue teams understand the needs of noise-sensitive guests and can maintain consistent, inclusive practices across all events. The result? Venues that sound better, feel better, and welcome everyone, regardless of hearing ability.
It’s a concept that has quickly caught attention, particularly from Ben Hancock, Managing Director of Oscar Acoustics, a company specialising in sound treatments that absorb excessive noise and create calmer, more comfortable environments. Enthused by Sownd Affects’ mission, the two joined forces with support from Arts Council England, bringing their shared expertise to Hackney. Three of the borough’s much-loved venues – Paper Dress Vintage, Vortex and SJQ – now boast state-of-the-art, audio-inclusive acoustics.
“The Hackney project is the result of 12 years of pilots, hundreds of interviews and several innovation and arts grants,” said Marion. “I’ve lived and worked in Hackney since 2018, and as a hub for creativity and community, it made perfect sense to pioneer this work here.”
“Working with Ben Hancock and Oscar Acoustics this year has been brilliant – they’ve provided the technical expertise to transform these grassroots music venues, proving we can make spaces audio inclusive without compromising their character.”
The impact is already clear. Alice Pasey, of Paper Dress Vintage, said:
“My staff previously experienced difficulty focusing and mental fatigue after a loud shift. Now, they can hear and communicate easily, which I believe will lead to a happier workforce. As a noise-sensitive person myself – I have ADHD – I’m so proud to deliver audio-inclusive experiences that more of our community can enjoy.”
Hackney Mayor, Caroline Woodley, added:
“Hackney is proud to be at the forefront of cultural innovation that puts inclusivity at its heart. These audio-inclusive upgrades across our much-loved grassroots venues represent a major step towards making Hackney the UK’s first truly audio-inclusive borough.”
During the project, jazz fusion band GoGo Penguin reflected on their early days performing at venues such as the Vortex Jazz Club, where their manager first took a real interest in them. Having also played in spaces with poor acoustics, they described how it can feel like “a battle against the audience.” They explained how better acoustics transform that experience, strengthening the connection between artists and audiences, allowing sound to be immersive without being overwhelming.
Ben Hancock noted the difference first-hand:
“I went to the first gig at SJQ after the treatment and the feedback was brilliant. Staff who once wore earplugs for protection said they could finally hear customers and felt far less fatigued after a shift. The long-term benefits of that can’t be overstated.”
What’s next for the project?
Encouraged by the project’s success, Marion and Ben are now producing a short film to raise awareness of audio inclusivity and its far-reaching benefits.
“We’d love to treat more venues in Hackney – and eventually expand to other cities,” said Ben. “We’ve shown how it works in practice; now we want to share that knowledge widely and help people understand that inclusive sound isn’t about making venues quieter – it’s about making them better.”
Marion added:
“We’re excited to publish case studies showing measurable improvements in acoustics and wellbeing. Our methodology – combining hearing psychology, acoustics, behavioural and data science, and participatory research – has also led us to launch Sownd Certified, a certification for spaces that ensure noise-sensitive people can feel comfortable whether there’s live music or a busy service.”
With support from the University of Southampton, data collection and sound testing before and after treatment have demonstrated just how effective the approach is; and with workshops and staff training in place, the project continues to build momentum.
As Marion concludes,
“Audio inclusivity isn’t just a health initiative – it’s a cultural movement. By making venues accessible to everyone, we’re not only protecting hearing, we’re redefining what great sound means.”
Find out more about Sownd Affects, the Hackney project, and the future of audio inclusivity at www.sownd.co.uk.
