Lorde's monitor engineer, Kevin Glendinning shares why hearing the mix clearly, not louder, has made Sensaphonics part of his workflow for nearly three decades.

(Chicago, IL - July 29, 2026) As Lorde takes the stage to headline on opening night of Lollapalooza 2026, she’ll be relying on the same philosophy that has guided her live performances since the beginning of her career: hear clearly, perform confidently, and protect your hearing for the long haul.

Many musicians assume that as an artist's career grows, so does the complexity of their in-ear monitors. Bigger stages require more drivers, more technology and more hardware, right?

Not necessarily. Throughout her career, Lorde has continued to rely on the Sensaphonics 2MAX, a dual-driver custom in-ear monitor. It’s a reminder that exceptional monitoring isn’t determined by the number of drivers inside an earpiece. It’s determined by how clearly you can hear your mix. When you get a good seal, your mix isn't competing with bleed through coming from the band, the audience, or even pyrotechnics.

That’s where isolation becomes the real story.

At Sensaphonics, we’ve spent decades focusing on one of the most overlooked aspects of in-ear monitoring: creating the best possible acoustic seal and maximizing passive isolation from the ambient environment. Our proprietary soft medical-grade silicone earpieces conform to the natural movement of the ear canal, allowing for deeper insertion and a more stable acoustic seal than the shorter, rigid acrylic earpiece designs commonly used in the industry. Independent testing has documented an average of 37 dB of broadband isolation, with even greater attenuation at higher frequencies. That additional isolation helps musicians hear their mixes more clearly while reducing the need for excessive monitor volume.

Better isolation means a lower noise floor.

A lower noise floor means a cleaner monitor mix.

And a cleaner monitor mix means you'll often find yourself turning the volume down, not up.

That’s an important distinction because simply wearing in-ear monitors doesn’t automatically protect hearing. Without proper education, many performers continue listening at unsafe levels or remove one earpiece during a performance - both habits that can significantly increase risk of hearing injury.

Keeping both monitors in place allows listeners to hear their mix as intended while maintaining lower, safer listening levels. It’s a simple practice, but one that reflects an understanding of hearing conservation that every artist and touring professional can benefit from.

Unlike companies whose primary focus is audio equipment alone, Sensaphonics is the only custom in-ear monitor manufacturer led by Doctors of Audiology. That clinical foundation influences everything we do - from product design and materials to musician education and hearing conservation - because exceptional sound and lifelong hearing health should always go hand in hand.

That same approach extends beyond the artist.

Lorde’s monitor engineer, Kevin Glendinning, also relies on a matching pair of Sensaphonics 2MAX IEMs, ensuring he’s hearing the same sonic picture he’s creating for the stage. “I have had an involvement with Sensaphonics since '97,” Glendinning says. “As a patient, a client and customer, it's been amazing to see their success in the 40 plus years in the IEM and audiology community. Dr Santucci, and his illustrious staff in Chicago, are just phenomenal.” 

Across the production, hearing health has become part of the culture. The tour is utilizing dB Check Pro sound level analyzer to help monitor sound exposure, and hearing protection isn’t limited to musicians. Crew members and dancers are also wearing custom-fitted IEMs and filtered earplugs - part of a growing trend among modern touring productions that recognizes everyone on stage deserves to protect the hearing they’ll rely on throughout their careers.

For audiologists and hearing healthcare professionals, there’s an important takeaway.

Custom in-ear monitors shouldn’t simply be evaluated by driver count or frequency response. Material selection, insertion depth, acoustic isolation, fit stability and ongoing education all play critical roles in helping musicians hear better while reducing long-term risk. Our philosophy is that clear, safe sound starts with a great fit. For this reason, we continue to be the only custom IEM company that manufactures their gear exclusively in soft, medical-grade silicone. That’s why we’ve always believed the best in-ear monitors are designed not only by audio engineers, but in partnership with hearing healthcare professionals who understand both the science of hearing and the realities of life on stage. For more than 40 years, that commitment has driven our research into the hearing health of the music industry and inspired products designed not only to deliver exceptional sound, but to help protect every musician’s most valuable instrument: their hearing.

Glendinning continues: “I've admired seeing them grow into being an IEM giant, progressing alongside their clientele, to the likes of Stevie Nicks, Coldplay, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews Band, Lorde and Chappell Roan, to name a few! On our current Lorde tour, the artist, band and crew have enjoyed the full Sensa treatment! Sonically, service and support has been smooth and flawless. Start to finish, from impressions to showtime; they're batting 1000% for our ears!” 

Ultimately, that’s the mission that has guided Sensaphonics from the beginning.

We build exceptional in-ear monitors, but our purpose has always been larger than the products themselves. Every custom earpiece, every hearing evaluation and every conversation with an artist is an opportunity to help someone enjoy a longer, healthier career.

Because great sound shouldn’t come at the expense of great hearing.

#RESPECTYOUREARS

Link to 2MAX product page