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Monitor engineer Kevin Glendinning discusses nearly three decades with Sensaphonics as the entire Lorde touring production embraces hearing conservation through custom in-ear monitors, hearing protection and sound exposure monitoring
As Lorde returned to Lollapalooza to headline opening night of the festival, delivering one of the weekend’s most celebrated performances (including a surprise onstage reunion with Charli XCX), another story was unfolding behind the scenes. While thousands of fans focused on the music, monitor engineer Kevin Glendinning and the production team were focused on something equally critical: ensuring everyone on stage could hear clearly while protecting the hearing they depend on every day.
For Glendinning, hearing conservation has never been a separate issue from great sound. A longtime Sensaphonics user whose relationship with the company spans nearly three decades, he continues to rely on Sensaphonics custom in-ear monitors while mixing Lorde’s performances, with the artist herself performing through Sensaphonics 2MAX dual-driver custom in-ear monitors.
“I have had an involvement with Sensaphonics since ’97,” says Glendinning. “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.”
While many assume today’s stadium and festival productions require increasingly complex multi-driver monitor systems, Lorde’s touring setup demonstrates a different philosophy. Throughout her career she has continued to perform with Sensaphonics 2MAX dual-driver custom in-ear monitors, illustrating that effective monitoring depends less on driver count than on achieving exceptional isolation and an accurate, reliable monitor mix.
That philosophy reflects the foundation of Sensaphonics’ design approach. Rather than simply increasing output, the company’s soft medical-grade silicone earpieces are engineered to create a deeper, more consistent acoustic seal that maximizes passive isolation from stage noise. Independent testing has documented average broadband isolation of approximately 37 dB, allowing performers to hear greater detail in their monitor mixes while often listening at lower, safer volume levels.
“The biggest misconception is that simply wearing in-ear monitors automatically protects your hearing,” says Dr. Michael Santucci, Au.D., founder and President of Sensaphonics. “The goal is to create an accurate monitor mix that musicians can hear clearly without excessive volume. Proper fit, isolation and education all work together to help artists make better listening decisions throughout their careers.”
That commitment extends beyond the artist. Throughout the current Lorde tour, the production has embraced hearing conservation across the entire performance team. Along with custom Sensaphonics in-ear monitors, the tour is utilizing the Sensaphonics dB Check Pro sound level analyzer to monitor sound exposure, while crew members and dancers are equipped with custom-fitted in-ear monitors and filtered hearing protection.
The result reflects a broader shift taking place throughout the live entertainment industry, where hearing conservation is increasingly viewed as an essential component of production rather than an afterthought.
Glendinning says that commitment has been evident throughout every stage of the process.
“I’ve admired seeing Sensaphonics grow into being an IEM leader, progressing alongside their clientele, to the likes of Stevie Nicks, Coldplay, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews Band, Lorde and Chappell Roan, to name a few,” he says. “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 the protection of our ears.”
Unlike manufacturers focused solely on audio equipment, Sensaphonics remains the only custom in-ear monitor company led by Doctors of Audiology. That clinical foundation influences every aspect of product development, hearing conservation research and musician education, emphasizing that exceptional sound quality and lifelong hearing health should always go hand in hand.
“For more than four decades, our mission has been much larger than building exceptional in-ear monitors,” adds Santucci. “Every artist, engineer and crew member deserves the opportunity to enjoy a long career without sacrificing their hearing. When performers can hear their mixes clearly, they’re able to perform more confidently while making safer listening choices that benefit them long after the tour is over.”
As one of the year’s biggest festival performances demonstrated, great live sound isn’t simply about delivering unforgettable moments for the audience. It’s also about ensuring the artists and professionals who create those moments can continue doing so for years to come. Visit Sensaphonics.com and find out more about how to respect your ears for a lifetime of safe listening.
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