Do you hear them? At this moment, there are several sounds in your ears. Some are very soft, others are louder. Sounds can be  pleasant, sometimes aggressive, and everything in between. Is it perception or science? Does silence really exist? How does sound travel? What frequencies can the human ear perceive? Can you see sound? Learn the answers to these questions and more when you explore sounds in the special exhibition: Sound, Just Sound, at Joseph Brant Museum until March 30, 2024. Admission for seniors is $4 (regular admission is $8) until March 30 at Joseph Brant Museum. Thank you to our sponsor: Hearing Well Matters.

The exhibition comprises four distinct zones. The three first zones answer each of these questions: Does silence really exist? Do we all perceive the same sounds? Can you see sound? The answers will be given through more than 20 interactive games and immersive experiments. The fourth zone is a sound experiment with a cinematographic sound station.

The NATURE of Sound

Sounds can be powerful or almost inaudible, high-pitched or deep, simple or complex. For a musician, they are mathematical and should be produced with accuracy. For an acoustic engineer, they travel as waves and can be measured. It’s through many fun experiments that you will be invited to describe some sounds you hear, including your own voice!

The TRAVEL of Sound

The speed of sound varies according to the environment or matter in which it travels. Come and test different environments to see their influence on sound: an anechoic chamber (without reverberation) and a very reflective space. You will discover some techniques used to reduce noise propagation or improve a room’s acoustic characteristics.

The RECEPTION of Sound

Sounds enter the ear’s auditory canal and makes the eardrum vibrate. Be ready to play the role of each part of the ear and compare your hearing to that of a few animals. Then, learn about auditory health and initiate yourself to psychoacoustics.