EDGE Sound Research and Sports Tech HQ Bring Multi-Sensorial Audio Experience to the Deaf Community

This past December at the Indy Classic Powered by Sports Tech HQ, EDGE Sound Research hosted a groundbreaking activation that allowed the deaf community to experience basketball in a truly unique way. EDGE Sound Research, a cutting-edge audio technology company, set up a multi-sensorial sound experience with Embodied Sound® at Gainbridge Fieldhouse, transforming a wooden platform into a vehicle for sound that can be heard and felt using vibration.

By sitting in chairs on this platform, individuals could feel the real-time sounds of the game, from the basketball’s dribble to the net’s swish. The game sounds can be adjusted to emphasize what an individual can understand through feeling. This innovative technology provided a tangible connection to the sport, allowing deaf individuals to experience the game’s rhythm and intensity in a previously unimaginable way.

To highlight the impact of this technology, Sports Tech HQ invited two profoundly deaf families to the Indy Classic. These families had the opportunity to experience the EDGE Sound Research activation privately, providing them with a truly unforgettable moment. 

Matthew Dray (pictured below), an Indianapolis local, brought his family of five who are all profoundly deaf to the EDGE Sound activation. When asked about his experience, he said, “When I stepped off of the platform, I felt disconnected. But once I stepped back on, it felt like I was there. I could feel everything––the dribbles, the sounds, the movements. It felt like I was there in the game.” 

“Our Embodied Sound® technology was invented because my co-founder Dr. Ethan Castro was born hard of hearing and became successful in the music industry by touching instruments and speakers. He used his relationship with sound to research and then invent a new method of sound reproduction after realizing the limitations of traditional speakers and existing haptic solutions to perceive audio information. The beauty of Embodied Sound® technology is that it is naturally inclusive to all guests with different hearing capabilities. Accessing the entire range of sound an individual can hear or feel allows anyone to connect with moments we all love in sports, music, and beyond.”

EDGE Sound Research is advancing its innovative audio technology through a partnership with Indiana University. By integrating its cutting-edge sound solutions into IU’s athletic facilities, EDGE Sound Research aims to enhance the fan experience, providing immersive audio that bridges the gap between the field and the stands. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the world of sports technology, promising to redefine the way fans engage with the game.

EDGE Sound Research is a member of the Sports Tech HQ (STHQ) Collective. STHQ is a nonprofit organization fueling Indiana’s transformation into a global hub for sports technology. STHQ attracts companies from around the world to join its collective, positioning entrepreneurs at the forefront of an industry projected to reach $100B by 2030.

 

Posted by

STHQ Staff

Date

Jan 28 2025

Posted in
  • Collective News

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