For over a century, humans have been using technology to shape our sonic environment. White noise machines, nature recordings, noise canceling headphones and high-tech hearables all allow us to create an auditory safe space we can escape into. But is it possible to have too much control over what you hear? Featuring media studies professor Mack Hagood.

Follow Dallas on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and LinkedIn.

Join our community on Reddit and follow us on Facebook.

Become a monthly contributor at 20k.org/donate.

If you know what this week's mystery sound is, tell us at mystery.20k.org.

Purchase Hush: Media and Media and Sonic Self-Control, by Mack Hagood.

Subscribe to Phantom Power wherever you get your podcasts.

Get 10% off your first month of BetterHelp at betterhelp.com/20k.

Visit monday.com/podcast for your free two-week trial.

Get a 4-week trial, free postage, and a digital scale at Stamps.com. Just click the microphone at the top right corner and type the promo code 20k.

Episode transcript, music, and credits can be found here: https://www.20k.org/episodes/sonicbubbles

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices