# Sound Mapping Apps that specialize in sound-mapping enhance accessibility and health. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Mar 1, 2018 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sound-mapping ## Key Figures - Trend score: 1.5/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Sound Mapping trend? **Sound Mapping:** Sound mapping apps are becoming increasingly prevalent, and have applications in everything from helping individuals with visual impairments, to allowing individuals with noise sensitivities to avoid certain areas. Such apps are often crowdsourced and are evidence that a grassroots approach to social causes like accessibility is often the most effective way to create impactful change. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Apr 26, 2016 to Mar 2, 2018 - Published: Mar 1, 2018 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Themes within the Sound Mapping trend ### Crowdsourcing Sound Mapping As sound mapping apps become more prevalent, there is an opportunity for businesses to harness crowdsourcing data to measure noise levels in different environments. ### Assistive Technologies for Visual Impairment The development of technologies that interpret and narrate the environment for those who are visually impaired has disrupted industries across the board from personal navigation apps to intellectual property security. ### Location-based Sound-Mapping Services There is an opportunity for businesses to develop and capitalize on sound-mapping apps that allow users to locate restaurants, bars and cafes based on their noise levels from others' data. ## What the Sound Mapping trend means for industry ### For Real Estate With the development of noise-scoring platforms, prospective buyers/renters can receive more comprehensive information on the noises that affect housing prices and suitability for those with noise sensitivities. ### For Accessibility Apps and technologies that cater to individuals with disabilities are growing fast and represent a major opportunity for businesses who can tap into these markets. ### For Acoustics With location-based sound mapping services and other sound management technologies, businesses who specialize in acoustics would be wise to leverage their expertise across the many applications of these modern services. ## Workshop question How can your brand better empower consumers seeking to enact change? ## Trend signals for Sound Mapping Trend score 1.5 out of 10, from popularity 24%, activity 13%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 24% - Activity: 13% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Sound Mapping trend 5 featured examples from Apr 26, 2016 to Mar 2, 2018. - [Narrative Visual Impairment Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seeing-ai): Microsoft's 'Seeing AI' Can Narrate the World Around You (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The development of 'Seeing AI' highlights the potential for AI in creating innovative solutions for individuals with visual impairments. - [Urban Noise-Scoring Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/howloud): 'HowLoud' Calculates the Loudness Factor for Different Neighborhoods (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Real estate professionals could use this technology to better inform clients about the level of urban noise in different neighborhoods and increase the accuracy of property valuat… - [Sound-Mapping Restaurant Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ihearu-restaurant-app): iHEARu Uses Crowdsourcing to Measure Noise Levels in Restaurants (Category: Tech) Implication: The app provides an opportunity for restaurants to cater to customers' noise preference and improve overall dining experiences. - [Location Noise-Measuring Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/noisecapture): NoiseCapture Helps Users Record Noise Levels Wherever They Are (Category: Tech) Implication: Urban planning can utilize noise mapping to develop more effective strategies for noise pollution reduction and create more livable cities. - [Assistive Noise Navigation Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soundscape-app): Microsoft's Soundscape Apps Helps People with Visual Impairments (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunity for mobile app developers to create assistive noise navigation apps for individuals with visual impairments. ## Recent trend clusters - [Delegated Interfaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/delegated-interfaces) (Tech) - [Adaptive Controls](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adaptive-controls) (Tech) - [Desk Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/desk-systems) (Tech) - [Spatial Refinement](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/spatial-refinement) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Decor-Led Home Projectors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/decor-led-home-projectors) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)