Dr. Michael Santucci
Audiologist
“Loud music can be a real rush, and there’s nothing wrong with that. My goal is to teach people to enjoy loud sounds without damaging their hearing.”
Dr. Michael Santucci
Audiologist
“Loud music can be a real rush, and there’s nothing wrong with that. My goal is to teach people to enjoy loud sounds without damaging their hearing.”
Dr. Michael Santucci
Audiologist
“Loud music can be a real rush, and there’s nothing wrong with that. My goal is to teach people to enjoy loud sounds without damaging their hearing.”
A Passion For Protecting Hearing
For 35 years, Michael Santucci has been protecting and preserving hearing for generations of musicians, technicians, venue staff, and music lovers everywhere. He’s dedicated to making sure we can all enjoy making and listening to music without long-term damage.
As the founder and President of the custom-only earphone manufacturer founded and operated by an audiologist, Michael weds science and passion so you can keep doing what you love.
Early Years
After graduating from University of Iowa with his bachelors and Illinois State University with his Masters of Arts degree in audiology, Michael quickly immersed himself in the vibrant Chicago music scene. Recognizing that musicians were suffering from severe overexposure and lacked awareness of hearing health and protection, he decided to focus his practice on music and founded Sensaphonics in 1985.
This changed everything.
In the beginning, Michael was basically an audiologist, primarily offering hearing protection. In-ear monitors came on the scene in the early 90s, which was when custom IEMs led Michael into R&D and manufacturing. As the only audiologist-run earphone manufacturer, Michael and his team had a unique message for the music world: you can keep creating sound while protecting and preserving your hearing. And spreading that message has been his life’s goal.
Early Years
After graduating from University of Iowa with his bachelors and Illinois State University with his Masters of Arts degree in audiology, Michael quickly immersed himself in the vibrant Chicago music scene. Recognizing that musicians were suffering from severe overexposure and lacked awareness of hearing health and protection, he decided to focus his practice on music and founded Sensaphonics in 1985.
This changed everything.
In the beginning, Michael was basically an audiologist, primarily offering hearing protection. In-ear monitors came on the scene in the early 90s, which was when custom IEMs led Michael into R&D and manufacturingAs the only audiologist-run earphone manufacturer, Michael and his team had a unique message for the music world: you can keep creating sound while protecting and preserving your hearing. And spreading that message has been his life’s goal.
Sensaphonics: Research, Development, Technology, Passion
From the beginning, Sensaphonics has prided itself on being an R&D organization that knows how to work with musicians. Michael and his team have been developing the technology that makes personalized, unique, custom in-ear monitors that improve sound while reducing the damaging effects of loud music or other sounds.
That’s the heart of this mission: we’re here to encourage hearing health, not restrict music. And we do so using cutting-edge technology developed here in our lab by audiologists, engineers, and music lovers.
A Dedicated Advocate For Better Hearing Health
As president of Sensaphonics, Dr. Michael Santucci provides audiological consultation and customized hearing protection to many of today’s top music performers. He has dedicated his career to being a tireless advocate for hearing health within the music community and the world at large.
Today, Dr. Santucci continues his hearing conservation efforts through Sensaphonics, spearheading the development of innovative new products and technologies while operating its Musicians Hearing Clinic. He shares his unique knowledge and expertise by mentoring graduate audiology clinical externs within his own practice, and through his Sensaphonics Gold Circle seminar, teaching audiologists how to work with professional musicians and in-ear monitors.
GLOBAL EXPERT IN HEARING LOSS PREVENTION
On the global stage, Dr. Santucci has been working with the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2015, when he was invited to speak at the WHO-ITU Joint Stakeholders Consultation on Safe Listening Devices in Geneva, Switzerland. Today, Michael continues to serve the WHO as global expert in hearing loss prevention in music. As part of the Make Listening Safe initiative, Michael is working with other medical professionals, manufacturers, and academics to develop global listening standards for personal audio devices and entertainment venues.
Leader among Audio & Audiology Professionals
Dr. Santucci lends his expertise and unique perspective to professional audio and audiology organizations, including:
- Audio Engineering Society (AES) – Chair of the Technical Committee on Hearing and Hearing Loss Prevention. Co-founder and chair for the AES International Conferences on Music Induced Hearing Disorders in 2012, 2015 and 2018.
- National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) – Head of Music Induced Hearing Disorders Task Force
- American Academy of Audiology (AAA) – Committee chair, Task Force on Best Practices for Working with Musicians
- MusiCares – Direct advice and hearing protection for artists and techs at major music festivals including Lollapalooza
Guest lecturer
Dr. Santucci frequently shares his insight in academia and at trade associations.
- Northwestern University, University of Chicago, Salus University, Rush University (audiology students)
- Columbia College Chicago (sound engineering students)
- The Recording Academy® (GRAMMY® organization)
- U.S Air Force
- NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants)
- AAA (American Academy of Audiology)
- American Academy of Dispensing Audiologists
NASA Consultant
Dr. Santucci consults with NASA and SpaceX on custom hearing protection and communications products for use in space. Since 1999, Sensaphonics has supplied the astronauts and cosmonauts on every International Space Station (ISS) mission.
Writer
Dr. Santucci has been published in over 40 audiology and music industry publications and periodicals. He has also contributed his knowledge to several hearing health textbooks.
A Dedicated Advocate For Better Hearing Health
As president of Sensaphonics, Dr. Michael Santucci provides audiological consultation and customized hearing protection to many of today’s top music performers. He has dedicated his career to being a tireless advocate hearing health within the music community and the world at large.
Today, Dr. Santucci continues his hearing conservation efforts through Sensaphonics, spearheading the development of innovative new products and technologies while operating its Musicians Hearing Clinic. He shares his unique knowledge and expertise by mentoring graduate audiology clinical externs within his own practice, and through his Sensaphonics Gold Circle seminar, teaching audiologists how to work with professional musicians and in-ear monitors.
GLOBAL EXPERT IN HEARING LOSS PREVENTION
On the global stage, Dr. Santucci has been working with the World Health Organization (WHO) since 2015, when he was invited to speak at the WHO-ITU Joint Stakeholders Consultation on Safe Listening Devices in Geneva, Switzerland. Today, Michael continues to serve the WHO as global expert in hearing loss prevention in music. As part of the Make Listening Safe initiative, Michael is working with other medical professionals, manufacturers, and academics to develop global listening standards for personal audio devices and entertainment venues.
Leader among Audio & Audiology Professionals
Dr. Santucci lends his expertise and unique perspective to professional audio and audiology organizations, including:
- Audio Engineering Society (AES) – Chair of the Technical Committee on Hearing and Hearing Loss Prevention. Co-founder and chair for the AES International Conferences on Music Induced Hearing Disorders in 2012, 2015 and 2018.
- National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) – Head of Music Induced Hearing Disorders Task Force
- American Academy of Audiology (AAA) – Committee chair, Task Force on Best Practices for Working with Musicians
- MusiCares – Direct advice and hearing protection for artists and techs at major music festivals including Lollapalooza
Guest lecturer
Dr. Santucci frequently shares his insight in academia and at trade associations.
- Northwestern University, University of Chicago, Salus University, Rush University (audiology students)
- Columbia College Chicago (sound engineering students)
- The Recording Academy® (GRAMMY® organization)
- U.S Air Force
- NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants)
- AAA (American Academy of Audiology)
- American Academy of Dispensing Audiologists
NASA Consultant
Dr. Santucci consults with NASA and SpaceX on custom hearing protection and communications products for use in space. Since 1999, Sensaphonics has supplied the astronauts and cosmonauts on every International Space Station (ISS) mission.
Writer
Dr. Santucci has been published in over 40 audiology and music industry publications and periodicals. He has also contributed his knowledge to several hearing health textbooks.
What does the future hold?
Better Technology
We have the best custom-made hearing health technology on the market. But we never stop improving it. It’s our passion and our drive.
More Advocacy
The more people know about protecting their hearing health, the healthier we’ll all be. We’ll continue education and advocacy around the world.
A Better Sounding World
Let’s keep making music. Let’s keep following our passions. Let’s make the sounds we love. Let’s do it safely, and keep doing it forever.
Start Protecting and Conserving Your Ear Health Today
Connect with us for an appointment, consultation, or to find out more on protecting your ears while following your passion and doing your job. We give you the freedom to do what you love.