In this talk, Rafaela Prado Cardoso explores the ocean from a perspective we rarely consider: through sound. She reveals how, beneath the surface, life depends less on sight and far more on hearing — and how understanding this can transform the way we relate to the sea.Drawing from her work at SOMAR, a marine conservation and bioacoustics organization in Portugal, Rafaela presents a world where dolphins use unique whistles as names, whales sing songs that span oceans, and even tiny shrimp produce noise for survival. She also addresses the growing issue of underwater noise pollution and its impact on marine life, urging us to think about how human activity is drowning out vital natural communication.Blending science, storytelling, and emotion, this talk is both a call to awareness and an invitation to connection. Because we protect what we understand — and when we learn to truly listen, we begin to care in deeper ways. Rafaela Prado Cardoso is a Brazilian oceanographer and co-founder of SOMAR - Marine Conservation and Bioacoustics Association, a nonprofit based in the Algarve, Portugal, that uses sound as a powerful tool for ocean literacy and conservation. She currently leads projects that merge science, art, and education to bring people closer to the ocean in inclusive, sensory, and emotionally engaging ways. Through immersive experiences — from underwater soundscapes to interactive exhibitions — Rafaela invites audiences of all ages and backgrounds to listen more deeply to the sea. Her work highlights how sound can reveal the hidden life of the ocean and foster a more conscious, connected relationship with the planet. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx