Newcastle United introduces “sound shirts” for deaf fans to “feel” the atmosphere of the crowd

Newcastle United introduces “sound shirts” for deaf fans to “feel” the atmosphere of the crowd

Newcastle United introduced the “sound shirts”, designed to give deaf fans a sensory experience of a match day at St James’ Park.

The shirts designed for Newcastle United turns sound into touch using special sensors and motors, known as haptic technology, allowing people to “feel” the noise and atmosphere of the stadium.

Fans were able to use the new kit in the stands at a football match for the first time on Saturday 13th of April, on the game against Tottenham.

Saturday’s match also saw Sela, Newcastle United’s front-of-shirt sponsor, behind the initiative, donate its front-of-shirt sponsorship to RNID, a national charity supporting the 12 million people in the UK who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. This has been the first time a hearing loss charity has been promoted on the front of a Premier League shirt.

Find more information on this initative on the Sela website.