The world is speaking, what will you hear?

Sound deepens our experience of the world and the majesty of the Grand Canyon summons a connection with nature as few places can. However, this world-famous natural wonder faces a serious threat: noise pollution. For this reason, it is the perfect setting to educate students about the importance of natural sound and hearing preservation.

17 students of mixed hearing abilities worked together with acoustic scientists to collect sound data for the National Park Service while discovering an entirely new way of looking at sound as a precious resource and hearing as a cherished sense. Post-trip, the student ambassadors will launch an online campaign to educate the public about hearing and hearing loss based on what they learned, including a unique sound-themed podcast to be used as a learning tool by the National Park Service.

The Hear the World Sound Academy follows the 2010 Hear the World Amazon Expedition – where students explored the intricacies of sound in an environment where sound never sleeps, the Peruvian Amazon.

The 2011 Sound Academy also provided a unique platform for students to explore science, culture, leadership and service while at the same time raising awareness about the importance of hearing and sound preservation. More than a simple trip, the Hear the World Sound Academy included:

• A pre-academy curriculum on sound data collection and conservation issues in the Spring of 2011.
• A week-long rafting and hiking adventure exploring sound in the Diamond Down section of the Grand Canyon from July 31-August 7, 2011.
• Limited scholarships for selected participants.
• A post-academy project where students will create their own hearing and sound awareness campaign.

Participants have been accompanied by Bill Barkeley, a world-class mountain climber and one of the 15,000 people in the United States with Type 2 Usher’s Syndrome – the leading cause of deaf-blindness in the world. Bill also served as a mentor and leader in the 2010 Hear the World Amazon expedition. Bill’s 2007 summit of Mount Kilimanjaro shattered expectations and confirmed his role as an advocate and inspiration for the hearing loss community.  

To learn more about the Sound Academy team 2011, please click here.