Most Annoying Sounds In the World
What are the sounds that drive you nuts – the ones you hear and immediately think, “nope”? This is one of those topics that for those sensitive to sound (like us) presents a real challenge to research and write about. However, with grit and determination, we’ve forged through the shrieks, shrills, and scrapes to uncover not only the most annoying sounds in the world, but why they affect us so, and how we can use this understanding to develop truly amazing sonic brands.
What makes a sound annoying?
We all have certain sounds that we just can’t stand, some more so than others. But what is it about those sounds that makes them so grating on the ear? It turns out that annoying sounds have something in common. A study by The Journal of Neuroscience revealed that “aversive sounds” as they call them, predominantly fall into the frequency range of 2,000 Hz – 5,000 Hz. In musical terms, we call these the “high-midrange” frequencies, similar to those created by harsh consonants – “sh”, “ch”, “s”, “th”, and so on. If you listen to someone playing guitar, the initial sound of the pick hitting the strings would fall into this range.
According to the study, sounds with high-midrange frequencies are more likely to trigger heightened activity in both the auditory cortex, which processes sound, and the amygdala, which translates sound into emotion. Effectively, when you hear an unpleasant sound, you have an elevated physical and emotional response. Over time, we commit this feeling to memory where it is quickly recalled whenever we hear the sound again.
Top 10 Annoying Sounds
In thinking about the many bothersome high-midrange sounds we could choose from, we finally settled on the following list. Without further ado, below is SAM’s officially unofficial top 10 list of most annoying sounds in the world. Let the debate begin.
No. 10 – Power tools / equipment (e.g. angle grinder, leaf blower, pressure washer)
No. 9 – Loud chewing / slurping
No. 8 – Snoring
No. 7 – Alarms (any kind really)
No. 6 – Squealing brakes
No. 5 – Microphone feedback
No. 4 – Baby crying
No. 3 – High-pitched scream
No. 2 – Fingernails tapping on any hard surface (sorry ASMR fans)
No. 1 – Fingernails on a chalkboard
Making Sonic Brands That Aren’t Annoying
While no brand wants the negative attention associated with having an annoying sonic logo, don’t go removing all of the 2,000 Hz – 5,000 Hz frequencies from your brand audio just yet. These frequencies are actually critical to a great sounding audio mix, and are present – to some degree – in every sonic brand you hear. Take, for instance, the classic HBO static or Coca-Cola fizz sounds. Sure, both give warm and fuzzy feelings, but each sound, especially when it first comes in, is hanging out heavily in the 2,000 Hz – 5,000 Hz range.
How about Taco Bell’s iconic audio logo? This recognizable bell sound is rich and inviting, but its initial ping sits squarely in our “annoying sounds” sweet spot. What is true of these examples is true of the broader sonic branding universe – great sounding brands have a balance of highs, lows, and yes, even the crucial 2,000 Hz – 5,000 Hz range to create a desired emotional impact.
Much of what makes the sounds in our top 10 list annoying is that they remain constant in the 2,000 Hz – 5,000 Hz range. As in life, too much of anything is usually not optimal, and for our ears, this range can be especially fatiguing, even painful. Unless you’re after a sonic brand that makes audiences squirm with discomfort, go for a balanced mix that pleases the ears, adds some high-end magic with a bit of low-end rumble, and strikes an emotional chord that audiences will never forget.