Welcome back to the 'Sounding It Out' podcast, brought to you by Signia UK & Ireland! In this episode, your host Julia Van Huyssteen is joined by Professor Andrew Hugill, Deputy Director at the Institute of Digital Culture at the University of Leicester. Together, they delve into the concept of aural diversity, which acknowledges that everyone hears differently. Professor Hugel shares insights from his vast experience in music, research, and personal journey with hearing issues like autism, severe hearing loss, and Meniere's disease. They discuss the origins of the Aural Diversity Network, the limitations of the traditional audiogram, and how technology can help.

Check out the Aural Diversity webpage for more information: https://auraldiversity.org/

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of 'Sounding It Out,' hosted by Julia Van Huyssteen, the podcast focuses on aural diversity and hearing health, featuring guest Professor Andrew Hugill from the University of Leicester. Julia and Professor Hugel, who is also an autistic individual with severe hearing loss, tinnitus, and Meniere's disease, delve into how unique each person's hearing is and how traditional audiology norms based on a limited sample from the 1950s-60s fall short in addressing this diversity. 

They discuss the concept of aural diversity, the importance of recognizing various hearing experiences, and the founding of the Aural Diversity Network in 2018. Professor Hugel shares his personal journey of dealing with hearing differences and how it led him to create music suitable for people with aural divergences. They touch upon how socio-economic, geographical, and ethnic differences impact hearing and the critical differences in hearing at various life stages, from fetal development to old age. 

Additionally, the conversation highlights various hearing conditions like sensory-neural and conductive hearing loss, as well as auditory processing disorders and conditions like hyperacusis and tinnitus, emphasizing how these affect people beyond what is measurable by traditional audiological methods. 

Towards the end, they discuss the role of technology, from hearing aids to cochlear implants, in re-engineering the soundscape for individuals rather than merely correcting hearing loss. The episode concludes by encouraging listeners to broaden their understanding of hearing differences and inviting them to stay tuned for further episodes that will explore specific causes of hearing variations.