Loud sounds can help fight feelings of loneliness
Scientists at James Cook University have found that lonely and isolated people are more likely to prefer loud music or background noise, so they can be used to overcome feelings of loneliness. The research results are published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin.
Experts conducted 12 experiments with volunteers from Singapore, UK, USA and Australia. They tested the effect of loudness of sounds on the state of people and their feelings of loneliness.
The results showed that at louder sounds, subjects felt closer to others, and after isolation they began to give preference to noise. It has been shown to mitigate the effects of social isolation – anger, loneliness, and depressed mood.
Loud sounds create a more “social” atmosphere and act as a distraction, so people who have to spend time alone can relieve this feeling and deal with the consequences. Scientists noted the particular importance of the study during the coronavirus pandemic, when many were isolated.
American scientists have determined why some people cannot tolerate certain everyday sounds. They concluded that misophonia is associated with the activation of neurons that do not force people to repeat movements, the sound of which caused irritation. Because of this, discomfort arose. If the person begins to imitate the actions that cause the sound, they can ease the symptoms of the disorder.
