Why Fingernails on a Chalkboard Gets You on the Edge

by Dr. Trupti Shirole on  November 07, 2011 at 2:58 PM Research News
  •   Print
  •   Share
  •   Comments
  •  Text 
 Why Fingernails on a Chalkboard Gets You on the Edge
Researchers have now been successful in understanding why certain sounds like fingernails on a chalkboard gets some people on the edge. It is the shape of the human ear that may amplify certain aspects of such sounds to make it even more annoying to the listener. Also people's perceptions about these irritating sounds might increase the stress levels making it more annoying. The frequency of such screechy sounds ranges between 2,000 to 4,000 Hz. The human ear is the most sensitive during this range.  

The study was conducted by musicologists Christoph Reuter, of the University of Vienna and Michael Oehler, of the Macromedia University for Media and Communication in Cologne, Germany. The subjects were divided into two groups. One group was told that they would be listening to contemporary music while the other group was aware of the squeaking sound they were about to hear. Measurable physical reaction was seen in both the groups. But the group who thought they were listening to contemporary music judged the sound as slightly less unpleasant.

The results of the study will be presented at the annual meeting of the Acoustical Society of America in San Diego.

Source-Medindia

 Email Email   RSS Feeds RSS Feeds   Print this page Print   Save this page Save   Link Link   Syndicate Syndicate   Comments Comments   Bookmark and Share
 
Comment & Contribute
Comments should be on the topic and should not be abusive. Comments are normally moderated and are reviewed after they are posted.
* Your comment can be maximum of 2500 characters

Notify me when reply is posted
I agree to the terms and conditions
  
If you have a question about health related issues, you can now post it in our Ask An Expert section on our community website Medwonders.com and get answers from our panel of experts.
X

Medwonders Health Network

  • Health News Index
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
News Archive
Date :
Category :
Keyword :
  • News Quick Links
News Central Health Watch
Latest Health News Health In Focus
News Category (500+) Breaking Health News
Popular News Celebrating Life
Health News and Press Release Medindia - Exclusive
News Photo Gallery India Special
News Video Gallery Lifestyle and Wellness
News From Other Resources
News Categories:  
Child Health Center

Research Related News

» Overgrowth of Bacteria in Gut Blamed For Irritable Bowel Syndrome » New Drug That Only Attacks Cancer Cells Developed
» Personality Traits Linked To Longevity in Centenarians » Lack of Vitamin D in Diet Raises Stroke Risk in Japanese-Americans
» Why Bovine TB Continues to Spread Demystified in New Research » Seaweed Pill May Help Treat Arthritis
» P. Aeruginosa Infection Leads to Worse Outcomes and Increased Hospitalizations in COPD Patients » Hormone Boosts Production of Molecules Which Fight Skin Infection
Read More >>