Avoiding Insert/Normal mode confusion

Mode confusion is an issue for me as well. I’d like to try changing the colour of the cursor, could you please share your recipe?

this is similar to Blinking statusline when selections are out of current view

I would also be interested in trying sound feedback, perhaps having a click/beep sound in insert mode. I’m not sure if I could tolerate this but would be interested in experimenting. Any sound recipes welcomed.