silgehörige

Silgehörige is a neologism used in German-language discourse to describe a category of listeners defined by a pronounced attentiveness to sound and the acoustic environment. In its broadest sense, silgehörige refers to people who actively curate their sonic surroundings, engage with field recordings and ambient sound art, and emphasize listening as a practice rather than a background activity. The term is a compound formed from elements linked to hearing plus a suffix -gehörige, used in German to denote members of a group, but its exact etymology is informal and contested. There is no single authoritative definition, and usage varies across contexts.

Usage and scope: The term mainly appears in online discussions, blogs, and some sound studies or media-arts texts. It is used to signal alignment with listening-centered aesthetics, such as valuing quiet, sonic detail, or the art of listening in daily life. It is sometimes contrasted with more speech- or image-centric media cultures. Despite growing visibility in certain circles, silgehörige has not achieved widespread scholarly endorsement and remains a loosely used label.

Criticism and alternatives: Critics argue that the term can essentialize diverse listening practices and obscure differences among individuals who engage with sound for different reasons (artistic practice, habit, profession, or therapy). Some scholars prefer more descriptive phrases such as "audio-curious communities" or "auditory culture practitioners" to cover a range of practices without implying a fixed identity.

See also: auditory culture, sound studies, listening, field recording, ambient music.