Everyday Noise
1 April 2004
The Toxic Formula of Sound Revealed
Scientific research commissioned by Anadin* pinpoints a uniquely toxic cocktail of sound as a key cause of stress and tension in Britain.
The research explodes the myth that it is just mobile phones at one end of the spectrum and planes at the other that disturb us most. The reality is that it is a combination of these irritating noises, added to many other sounds that we are only subconsciously aware of, that make up the toxic sound recipe that causes tensions and headaches.
Now researchers have been able to map out the complete picture of the sounds that make up a menu of misery for millions every day by pinpointing the exact formula that makes up 'sound tension':
Frequency x intensity x time = sound tension
Distance
The learnéd team have also identified the ultimate sound stress cocktail:
Following an increase in customer calls, Anadin* commissioned a team of researchers to discover the reasons behind the nation's increased tension headaches. After initial findings showed noise to be a key stress trigger, they commissioned a team of researchers who interviewed more than 2,000 people and tested dozens of different sounds to reveal why sound is related to stress and tension.
Main research findings:
The definitive top ten irritating sounds of the noughties are:
Mobile phones, people coughing, traffic, screaming babies/children, building works, car alarms, barking dogs, walkmans, music in shops, seagulls/other birds
- Modern noise levels have risen a staggering 300% in contrast to thirty years ago
- The average sound of an urban street is 330% noisier than that of the countryside
- People in the country converse more quietly than urbanites (approximately 30 dB quieter on average). Because they make less sound (45 dB against 75/90 dB), they don't have to work so hard to be heard.
- Unusual ear-irritants mentioned include: Lloyd Grossman's voice, flip flops going down stairs, balloons squeaking
Tony Hale, sound specialist, said: "Noise levels have exploded over the years so the idea of sound pollution isn't new - but what's so incredible about this study was discovering it's often everyday sounds that we don't even notice that are having a massive affect on us and causing us very real tension."
The explosion in email, mobile and text message communication may have been blamed for Britons' increased stress in the past - but as we know it's the humdrum everyday noises we need to watch.
* Trade Mark
