Sounds Of The City project brings Lichfield to life for World Hearing Day
Lichfield independent audiology practice Cathedral Hearing is celebrating World Hearing Day on Tuesday, March 3, by creating a library of well-loved Lichfield sounds. The Sandford Street practice has recorded multiple events, people and locations throughout the city and placed the recordings on it’s website – Sounds Of The City.
Principal audiologist Laura Evans hopes that creating this catalogue of familiar local sounds will encourage people to reflect on how rich and detailed everyday hearing is, and empathise with those who struggle with their hearing. The sound recordings will be used to test out hearing technology at a special Open Day on Saturday, February 28.
And the Sounds of the City library isn’t just stopping for World Hearing Day, further recordings will be added throughout the year to create an engaging and historic list.
Laura Evans, said: “Hearing often deteriorates gradually, meaning everyday sounds can fade into the background until they are much less audible. The most common type of hearing issue affects the higher frequencies, which can impair hearing clarity and enjoyment of sounds such as birdsong and music”.
“What makes Lichfield so amazing is a combination of its sites, places and importantly, it’s sounds. Those suffering from hearing loss are therefore missing out on a huge chunk of what helps makes Lichfield the beautiful city it is.”
The Cathedral Hearing Sounds of the City project includes recording of:
Lichfield Cathedrals bells tolling
Staff preparing coffee at the Auction Café
Birdsong at Beacon Park
Tourist guide Jono Oates chatting while on one of his walking tours
Town Crier Adrian Holmes
Bands performing at The Hub at St Mary’s
A match at Lichfield Hockey Club
Other sounds will be added throughout the year including many historic events. Laura added, “Every sound has a story. The Cathedral’s bells produce a range of frequencies peppered with strike notes when the bell chimes on the hour. There’s the beautiful and tranquil Beacon Park, full of birdsong but with the distant hum of the A51. Then we have many busy coffee shops full of people chatting and machines grinding beans - lots of conflicting noises.”
To sign up for the free consultations on Saturday, February 28, between 10am and 4pm, or to hear the Sounds of the City visit the website or call 01543 319641.
