/ At the MUSE science museum in Trento (northern Italy), an ambitious exhibition is underway, aiming to highlight the role of hearing in our food experiences /

It is often said that we eat with our eyes. True, but not only. Our ears also play a crucial role in how we perceive food, even though this is often overlooked. This fascinating and unique topic is explored in the new exhibition “Food Sound: The Hidden Sound of Food”, set up at MUSE- the science museum in Trento designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano. The exhibition reveals how sound influences our eating habits, from stimulating appetite to shaping our grocery shopping choices.  

“The idea for this exhibition was born many years ago,” explains its creator, Vincenzo Guarnieri. “I once heard a story from some children visiting a potato chip factory. To them, the noise of the fryers sounded like other children crying. That story struck me, and I had an intuition that sounds could be used effectively to raise awareness about food. I delved into scientific literature and discovered fascinating research on the role of sound in our relationship with food. From that moment, the exhibition began to take shape.”  

Thanks to research in neuroscience, psychology, sociology, and anthropology, we can say that we also “feed” on sounds. While food experiences typically focus on taste, sight, smell, and touch, hearing also plays a key role. Sounds tap into deep emotions, awaken distant memories, shape our habits, influence our interactions with our social and environmental surroundings, and even impact our purchasing decisions.  

The exhibition is built on 3 pillars: wonder, surprise, and direct participation. It employs a multisensory, experiential approach that transforms how we perceive food. Visitors receive “supraGuide SPHERIC” audio guides produced by the German company Tonwelt. These are high-tech wireless headphones that automatically activate based on the visitor’s location. Their floating ear cups allow users to hear those around them without removing the headset. Another major highlight is the 3D audio experience: the guides deliver binaural and ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) sounds, immersing visitors in a virtual acoustic space that feels natural, using both real and evocative sounds for a guaranteed “wow” effect.  

“Food Sound: The Hidden Sound of Food” is divided into 5 thematic sections, each exploring a specific aspect of the connection between sounds and food. The first, “Prologue”, introduces visitors to the world of sound and hearing, showing how the brain processes sound through sound effects, lighting, and scenic projections that simulate sound waves. 

From there, visitors enter “The Kitchen”, where they are immersed in the typical sounds of this everyday space – the clattering of pots, the sizzling of food – discovering the emotions and memories they evoke. “The Restaurant Street” examines the role of sound in different dining environments, from a traditional trattoria to a Michelin-starred restaurant, a street food stall, a fast-food outlet, and even a futuristic or pitch-dark restaurant. Each setting has its own personalized soundscape, allowing visitors to “taste” dishes through sound and exchange impressions with fellow diners.  

The exhibition also encourages reflection on how sounds influence our consumption habits. In “The Market of Illusions”, visitors must make food choices based solely on sound, inspired by scientific research demonstrating that hearing plays a key role in shaping our preferences. This section investigates how packaging, food-related sounds, and ambient noise affect our perception of products, highlighting the power of sound in food marketing.  

The final section, “Scientific Whispers”, concludes the journey by inviting visitors to listen to ASMR and 3D soundtracks that present the neuroscientific discoveries explored in the exhibition. This immersive experience fosters a deeper awareness of our relationship with food and its hidden sounds.

Continue reading Games & Parks Industry September 2025, page 76

Photos Courtesy: ©Archivio MUSE-Museo delle scienze, fotografo Michele Purin

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