Cadence Podcast: What Music Tells us About the Mind S04 Episode 05: Hearing Loss and Reshaping the Sonic Landscape
Jan 22, 2024
Dr. Ethan Emmett Castro, a hard-of-hearing percussionist and tech innovator, joins Dame Evelyn Glennie, a world-renowned deaf percussionist. They share how they transformed their hearing challenges into strengths, reshaping their careers and the music landscape. Ethan discusses his tactile approach to sound and the technology he developed to enhance accessibility, while Evelyn emphasizes bodily resonance and emotional connection in music. Together, they advocate for inclusive music practices and universal creativity, connecting the senses and redefining listening.
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Early Life Shaped By Hearing Loss
- Ethan Castro grew up hard of hearing after a premature birth and many ear surgeries.
- He learned to read lips and feel speakers, which shaped his musical path into percussion and audio engineering.
Baptism By Fire In School Bands
- In high school Ethan suddenly became the only percussionist and section leader across ensembles.
- He used lip-reading, visual cues, and touching instruments to learn ensemble parts and stay in tune.
Touch As A Mixing Tool
- Ethan realized speaker drivers transmit tactile information he could interpret instantly by touch.
- He connected tactile cues to spectral issues and used them to diagnose mix problems faster than sight alone.