Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance Wraps Successful 2025

The Professional Audio Manufacturers Alliance (PAMA) was involved in a flurry of activity in 2025, launching its Hearing Rocks initiative, emphasizing its speaker series with industry experts, awarding its fifth annual scholarship to students studying professional audio, and ushering in a shift in the organization's leadership.

To help provide resources and education to battle noise-induced hearing loss, PAMA launched its Hearing Rocks initiative. According to the Centers for Disease Control, nearly one in four US adults aged 20-69 years shows evidence of noise-induced hearing loss, and for audio professionals, the risk can be much higher. This initiative to spread awareness about hearing-loss-related issues in the audio industry includes ongoing outreach across social media channels, special webinars, and a dedicated landing page offering a variety of resources.

Live online lecture events, archived for viewing at pamalliance.org/events, are a key part of PAMA's program throughout the year, giving PAMA's membership and the industry at large the opportunity to hear directly from experts on a variety of pertinent topics in a webinar setting. Two of the events, tied in with the Hearing Rocks initiative, were Mind the Mix: Hearing Preservation Strategies for Audio Engineers on May 28, and Safer SPL Levels: How Guidelines Are Moving into Global Action on October 30.

"Mind the Mix" focused on real-world hearing preservation strategies. Seasoned audio veterans Maureen Droney, vice president of the producers and engineers wing of the Recording Academy, and front-of-house engineer Buford Jones (Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, ZZ Top, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Linda Ronstadt and more) were joined by renowned audiologist Dr. Michael Santucci, Au.D and, as moderator, PAMA president Yvonne Ho, in a discussion spanning the most common types of hearing loss audio professionals face, why early detection of hearing loss matters, practical strategies for protecting hearing on the job, how veteran audio engineers have adapted their habits over time, tips for managing long-term exposure to high SPL environments, and what to do (and who to talk to) if individuals experience hearing changes.

Safer SPL Levels explored the WHO Global Standard for Safe Listening at Venues and Events, a landmark framework for managing sound pressure levels (SPL) in entertainment environments. The event examined how these guidelines translate into practice across the industry, from the engineers behind the console to the manufacturers and venues setting new benchmarks for safe sound.

Another event highlight was Inside Audio UX on February 20, where Audio UX co-founders Eric Seay and Sean Thornton shared their journey from composers to establishing a cutting-edge sonic branding agency where they revolutionize the sounds of electric vehicles, smart products, AI voices, brand music, and connected devices. Attendees got an inside look at the agency's work, including their specialized tools and the creative techniques they use to develop precise, purposeful sounds for modern devices.

Additionally, PAMA, in partnership with Shure Incorporated, announced the 2025 recipients of the fifth annual Mark Brunner Professional Audio Scholarship: Jeremiah Grier of Temple University, Tamanpreet Kaur of American University, Andrew Padfield of Western Michigan University, and Paula Sedlacek of Penn State University. Each scholarship is offered annually to students worldwide who are pursuing an education in professional audio.

Notably, 2025 saw a shift in PAMA's leadership, with the announcement that Ho, co-founder and chief marketing officer of Point Source Audio, has become president of PAMA's board of directors for a two-year term. Ho succeeds Chris Regan (RF Venue) in the role, while Regan remains on the board as a director.

"This year has been an eventful one for the PAMA organization," remarks Ho. "Between our online events and ongoing advocacy for hearing health, as well as our scholarship co-sponsored by Shure, we touched a lot of corners of the industry and helped plant the seeds for great things in the future. We look forward to even more growth in 2026 as we continue in our efforts to improve the audio industry for all involved!"