Introduction

The sounds of our environment are a profound, subtle, and deeply influential context in our lives. The sphere of this influence extends to our sense of time and place, our memories and emotions, our physical bodies and the physical world, our language, communication and creativity, our personal, social, and spiritual relationships, and our relationship with nature. Through Active Environmental Listening we can enrich our understanding of the extent to which these sounds, our acoustic habitats, shape us as individuals, as communities, and as part of life on earth.

By learning to listen actively we can learn to respect all sound, no matter where it comes from, and to become more aware. HomeSounds believes that the acoustic habitats we live in are as important as, and sometimes more important than, any other kind of habitat. We also believe that the extent of the influence of environmental sound is generally under appreciated and little understood. HomeSounds offers a unique opportunity to explore this influence in a safe and inspiring way.

An appreciation of how pivotal sound is to our relationship with the natural world has become increasingly important as our environment changes, and the effects of the climate crisis are experienced. Learning to listen actively can help foster positive, respectful and mature relationships with our planet and each other.