How Do Deaf People Experience Sound?

There is a french version of this page.

In the debate about the most important senses, most people agree that sight is paramount. Many, like you, consider hearing to be the second most useful sense for understanding the world, especially in professions related to sound. Even though you might prefer becoming deaf over blind, it is fascinating to understand how deaf or hard of hearing people perceive the auditory world, and for some, even music.

While blind and visually impaired people often develop a heightened perception of sounds, deaf people are not completely disconnected from the world of sound. They experience it differently, mainly through vibrations. This allows them, surprisingly, to enjoy music and excel in certain artistic domains.

Touch: A Gateway to Sound

Deaf or hard of hearing individuals use a sense we often underestimate to perceive music: touch. Sounds emit physical vibrations, and these can be felt through the skin and bones. Technological advancements have opened new doors to this form of perception.

Among these innovations are devices like the Subpac or the Woojer, vibrating vests that allow people to feel music throughout their bodies. These vests are used both in concerts and in everyday life, enabling deaf people to "experience" music. They convert sound waves into vibrations that the wearer can physically feel. There are also vibrating floors that work similarly: by transmitting vibrations through the feet, they allow users to feel bass and other lower sound frequencies.

Deaf Musicians: The Art of Feeling Music

The perception of sound by deaf individuals is not limited to passive experiences. Several deaf musicians have proven that it is possible to engage with sound in innovative ways. A prominent example is Evelyn Glennie, a world-renowned percussionist despite her deafness. She feels the vibrations of the instruments directly through her body, and her mastery of this art shows how touch can compensate for a complete absence of hearing.

In a more collective setting, the Deaf Orchestra Hamburg (Orchestra of the Deaf of Hamburg) perfectly illustrates human adaptability. These deaf musicians rely on vibrations and visual cues to play together harmoniously. The Mur du Son, a French band made up of hard of hearing musicians, also shows how sound creativity can thrive beyond hearing.

A Multi-sensory Experience

Deaf and hard of hearing people may not hear sound like hearing individuals do, but they feel it. Music becomes a multi-sensory experience, where each note can be felt throughout the body through vibrations, volume intensity, and physical resonance. Some even say this perception is more pure and immediate, as it bypasses mental interpretation of sound and dives directly into the physical sensation.

In summary, even without hearing, it is possible to have a deep and intimate relationship with music. The advancements in vibratory technology and the inspiration of deaf musicians show that music is not just about ears, but also about the skin, the body, and emotions.

And you, what do you think of this way of experiencing music? Did you imagine it was possible to "live" music without hearing it? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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15/10/2024