Sound, or hearing, is one of only five senses we humans have to
interact with the world around us. It is through sound that we
perceive much of what happens around us, and our love affair
with manipulating sound into music has endured since prehistoric
times, when our early ancestors first discovered rhythmic
drumming, and spent many a night dancing to the hypnotic beat
around their camp fires, or so the archeologists tell us.
To this day, music, song, and certain noises have the power to
elevate mood, bring back memories, whether happy or sad, evoke
joy or fear, and alter out emotional state in many other ways.
For instance, what would a horror movie be without the slow,
ominous beat, building to a crescendo, or the scream of the hero
as they are caught unawares by whatever it is that goes bump in
the night?
What else but a favorite golden oldie, on your car radio as you
edge your way homewards from a hard day’s work, would have the
power to bring a smile to your face?
We humans are so enamored with sound, in fact, that we have
developed our complex speech patterns from it, eschewing the
largely body language communication of most other mammals in
favor of the spoken word. We’ve created several complex, highly
specific tongues, all of which we feel immense pride and an
almost patriotic sensibility toward.
We use our speech to create works of art, in the form of plays,
and books. Armed with the tool of speech, we venture into the
world, using it to make friends, learn, and find love. Speech
is, in fact, the single most important thing that sets us apart
from lower animals, and we should appreciate all that it’s done
for us.
But aside from speech, what are the most appealing sounds?
Because of the emotive aspect to sound, each human will
experience them slightly differently, and may have a slightly
different list of favorites, but we’re sure you’ll find at least
one or two of your favorites on our list of the top ten most
appealing noises, which we bring to you, as usual, in no
particular order.
10. Rain on a Tin Roof
Enjoyed while tucked under the covers, or in front of the
fireplace with a loved one, there’s not much to beat the
rhythmic tap tapping of rain on a metal roof. If you round out
your experience with a cup of cocoa, while you snuggle, warm and
dry and listen to that hypnotic sound, you’ve got a recipe for
the perfect winter’s evening in.
Of course, it doesn’t only rain at night, but who could argue
with the enjoyment derived from sitting, warm and toasty in bed
on a rainy day, reading a favorite book? Sheer bliss, and all
the more so thanks to the rain on a tin roof.
If you don’t have a tin roof, don’t despair! The sound of rain,
driven by the wind, lashing on a window, has about the same
effect. So next time the weather turns, draw your quilt nearer,
and make yourself a steaming cup of cocoa, and settle down to
listen to one of the very best sounds you’ll hear for a long
time to come.
9. A Babys First Cry
This
one is for the parents out there. After nine long months of
anticipation, preparation and anxiety, which often endures right
up to the last moment, there’s nothing better than hearing the
first cry of your newborn infant. It may be thin, plaintiff, or
full force, but that first cry, whatever it sounds like, is
surely the one that cements the relationship between parent and
child.
In fact, it’s enough to diffuse any amount of tension in a
delivery room, that first plaintiff wail that proclaims to the
world that your little bundle of joy, who you’ve worked so hard
to bring to life, is going to be just fine.
This is especially memorable for those mothers who have had a
difficult pregnancy or delivery, or if dad or other family
members spends the delivery in the corridor instead of the
delivery room, and while there will be many cries after, that
first one is the one that will bring the biggest tears of joy to
your eyes.
8. The Snuffling of a Puppy or the Purr of a Kitten
You’d
have to be a very hard person indeed not to be moved by the
snuffle a puppy emits when brought close to your ear, when they
are still tiny enough to fit in one hand, and before their eyes
even open to the world.
Holding a warm, wriggling bundle to your ear and hearing that
slightly wet, sometimes wheezy sniff and snuffle a puppy
produces is enough, usually, to bring a smile to anyone’s face,
and even to cause the hairs on your arms and neck to stand up.
It may even result in a giggle of delight. Regardless of what
those puppies may one day grow into, that moment, when they are
tiny and helpless, snuffling in your ear, is probably one of
life’s best.
Kittens, on the other hand, seem to purr from almost the moment
they’re born. It’s often surprising that such a powerful and
deep rumble can come from such a small and fragile body, but
holding a kitten, stroking it, and hearing that sound is surely
another of life’s special moments. And the good thing is, if
it’s your cat, you’ll hear that rasp of a purr for years to come
too.
7. The Final Bell of School
If
you are a child of school going age, or a grown up, you’ll know
the immense anticipation that mounts during the school day, as
the final bell approaches. By the time you reach your final
period, the day seems interminably long, and you are almost sure
that sound will never come.
As slow minutes tick by, however, and you edge ever nearer to
that beautiful sound, the anticipation mounts once more,
reaching fever pitch, and when you finally do hear that
electronic peal, it’s as if the shackles have been removed.
Freedom awaits once more!
Of course, if it’s the last day of school before the summer
holiday, the wait seems even more interminable, and the ecstasy
when that sound eventually comes that much more intense. Almost
makes you wish for school again, doesn’t it?
6. The Tinkle of Change
There are no sounds that are quite like it. The musical tinkle
of small change as it tinkles in your pocket. That reassuring
sound of money in a money box when you were growing up, or
better yet, that same tinkle, combined with the bells and
whistles that indicate a win on a slot machine when gambling.
The more noise that money makes, the happier we seem to be, and
there’s certainly no mistaking it. Maybe it’s because the more
noise it makes, the more there’s likely to be, and while it
can’t buy love, in the words of the immortal Beetles, it
certainly brings security.
As long as there’s a tinkle of change in pocket, the world looks
a little rosier, life a little easier to handle, and the future
a little brighter.
5. The Crunch of Gravel
For
centuries, driveways have been covered with gravel, and
personally, I think the practice endures to this day, despite
the introduction of more modern materials, in so many homes,
because of the unique sound it produces.
When awaiting guests, there’s no sound better than the much
anticipated crunch on gravel, enough to send kids and adults
alike squealing and running to meet their long awaited visitors.
Or what about the unanticipated visits, when someone arrives
unexpectedly, with that telltale crunch.
Like most of the others on this list, it’s a unique noise, that
would not be confused with any other, but that affects us all
almost the same.
4. Ice in a Glass
Another
unmistakable sound, the tune of ice cubes floating in a glass,
or the fizz and crack as they meet a beverage as it’s poured in.
There’s little that evokes such a feeling of cool, even on the
hottest day, as that musical melody that ice makes in a glass as
it melts all to rapidly in the heat of the sun. In fact, just
hearing that clink as the ice bobs on the surface in a glass can
bring to mind the image of a frosted glass, filled with a long,
cool draught.
Maybe it’s because of the transience of the ice, or maybe just
because we know the beverage will cool us, and slake our thirst
that much better because of those little irregular cubes, but
it’s definitely right up there on the list of appealing sounds,
for me at least.
3. Waves Crashing on Shore
The
sound of waves crashing on a shore will forever evoke memories
of happy family holidays by the sea, lulled to sleep gently as
the eternal sea pounds the sand or rock rhythmically.
Maybe it’s the feeling of permanence that the sea evokes in an
uncertain world, or simply the hypnotic regularity of the noise,
but in spite of the fact that we know the sea can be
destructive, that noise is one of the most peace invoking
around.
Even when the sea is rough, crashing like thunder on a rocky
shore, as long as you and your family are safe and warm, you
will tend to feel a sense of cozy peace, knowing that today,
tomorrow, and for the rest of eternity, those waves are going to
be pounding that shore, at regular intervals. It’s a reminder of
the permanence of the world.
Of course, this sound is best enjoyed on an isolated stretch of
coast, where the human noise and hum of traffic won’t detract
from its power to instill peace, but wherever you can get it,
take it. It’s an enduring sound, which will stay with you.
Maybe that’s why people are so fascinated by the sound of the
sea in seashells? An opportunity to take a little bit of that
feeling home with them perhaps?
2. A Crackling Fire
Here’s
another one that depends largely on the weather! There’s no
denying, that the crackle or roar of a fire, whether in a
hearth, a campsite, or as a bonfire on the beach on a cool
evening, has the power to affect the soul.
The appeal of the sound is almost directly proportionate to the
chill in the air, and maybe it’s also got something to do with
our ancient ancestors, after all, the discovery of fire was a
turning point in our evolution!
That familiar crackle means warmth, heat, and possibly a hot
meal to many of us, and we instinctively gravitate towards the
crack and pop it emits as is burns, hissing as steam from hidden
sap escapes, the dancing flames throwing patterns on our faces.
Maybe that’s why camping is so much fun? It can’t be the
prospect of the hard ground or all the bugs, that’s for sure!
1. Your Own Name
Scientists
have actually proven this one. The most appealing sound to human
ears is the sound of your own name.
Perhaps it’s because it’s your unique identifier, or maybe it’s
because of the social nature of people, but the sound of our
names, whispered, shouted in excitement or joy, or spoken
gently, has a profound impact on us.
Imagine, for example, that you were stranded, as some have been,
on an isolated island, with no other human company. All of a
sudden, the prospect of hearing your name spoken in a voice
other than your own takes on a whole new depth of meaning,
doesn’t it?
Because of the power of the name, it’s a common practice for
sales and business people to create systems by which to remember
names. The name of their client becomes a key, with which they
unlock the potential for business.
www.Akorra.com
