The science of sound

The science of sound is a truly fascinating study. It may seem like a dry topic area, but when you look closely into the way sound affects your day-to-day life, you’ll soon realise there’s so much more to it than you possibly could have imagined.

 

The way we use everyday sounds can convey a completely different meaning; from whispering a sentence softly to shouting it aggressively, or even simply where you pause during speech. 

 

But sound doesn’t just impact our lives during conversation between us and other people, or when watching others talk on the TV, it’s so much more than that. Take music for example, which can completely alter your mood – particularly when it’s linked to memories. This is known as cognitive appraisal. Music therapy is so effective that it’s even used to help treat the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, along with Alzheimer’s, strokes, brain injuries, anxiety and depression. 

 

Sound can also negatively affect the way we live, particularly during work and study. Almost all sounds have a negative impact on efficiency and the ability to retain knowledge. However, this isn’t the case if you work in repetitive, manual jobs such as in a warehouse or factory, or if you’re hitting the gym. 

 

Background music can even impact our taste! Sounds of the sea makes fish and seafood taste more fresh, higher frequency noises enhances sweetness whilst low frequency noises bring out bitterness. 

 

Even plants are affected by sound and music. Classical music and jazz music have been proven to boost the speed and yield at which plants grow, whilst rock music has been proven to have negative effects.
Conclusion: plants are classy. 

 

For loads more unique facts about sound, check out this infographic from the Independent Hearing Professionals.