Post by Ace on Jul 23, 2006 1:25:58 GMT -5
Why the glug, glug of wine is the sweetest sound ever
07/21/2006 06:29:10 AM EDT
THE EXPRESS
POP! Then glug, glug, glug as wine flows from a newlyopened bottle. . .
That is the world's most beautiful sound, a poll shows.
Better than a crackling open fire, sweeter than the dawn chorus, more lilting than laughter the pouring of wine is in a glass of its own, according to the survey of 3,000 people across Britain.
On the other hand, the most annoying sound that life has to offer is the screaming of a child more annoying, even, than novelty ring tones, unanswered burglar alarms and the whine of the dentist's drill.
But sentimental Britons also said their most memorable sound was their children's first words.
The survey, by Siemens' Hearing Instruments, revealed that nearly one in three is kept awake at night by a snoring family member.
Eighteen per cent have their beauty sleep disturbed by drunken partygoers and 16 per cent are woken up by noisy neighbours.
The sound of gunshot was picked by 38 per cent as the scariest sound they would ever hear.
Squeaky comedian Joe Pasquale was nominated as the celebrity with the most annoying voice, just ahead of Janet Street Porter and Jade Goody.
Women named Sean Connery as the star with the sexiest voice, along with Pierce Brosnan and Barry White, while men opted for the husky Mariella Frostrup over Angelina Jolie and Joanna Lumley.
More than half those who answered the survey 57 per cent said there was a stigma attached to wearing a hearing aid.
And 34 per cent said they would be put off wearing a hearing aid because of the stigma.
Psychologist Dr Glenn Wilson from Kings College, London, who analysed the survey for Siemens, said: "Favourite sounds are either associated with fun and pleasure such as wine being poured or peace and reassurance, such as a purring cat or an open fire.
"The most annoying sounds are those that are intrusive and peaceshattering. Threatening sound, such as gunshots, or nails on chalkboard are also a problem.
He added: "Hearing aids once meant 'old' and 'handicapped' and therefore likely to be a nuisance.
"However, this stigma is diminishing as young people adopt earpieces for their ipods, mobile phones and other 'techy' devices and technology improves to ensure that hearing aids do not just amplify noises but improve clarity and intelligibility." Rob Ryman, hearing therapist and audiologist at Siemens, said: "Up to 15 years can pass between the onset of hearing loss and the moment people first seek help.
"Technology now ensures that hearing aid users feel comfortable and confident in any situation."
NOISES WE LOVE & HATE
MOST FAVOURITE
1.Glug of wine as it pours into a glass
2. Dawn chorus
3. A cat purring
4. Rain falling
5. Laughter
6. A stream flowing over rocks
7. An open fire
8. Waves crashing on the shore
9. Footsteps through fresh snow
10. Rain on a tent/caravan roof
11. The acceleration of a powerful car
12. Church bells in the distance
13. A cricket bat hitting a cricket ball
14. The wind passing through the leaves of a tree
15. Crowds chanting at a football match
16. Lawn mowers in the summer
17. Seagulls calling
18. The rustle of a feather duvet
19. Pebbles being thrown into water
20. Popping of a champagne cork
LEAST FAVOURITE
1.Screaming children
2. The sound of nails on a chalk board
3. Car or house alarms
4. A dentist's drill
5. A yapping dog
6. Someone talking with their mouth full
7. Mobile ring tones
8. Alarm clocks
9. Someone's knife grinding on a plate
10. Someone grinding their teeth
11. Car horns in traffic
12. An unanswered phone
13. Dripping tap
14. Someone biting their nails
15. Someone blowing their nose 16. A squeaky door
17. People chewing gum
18. Screeching brakes
19. Someone learning the violin
20. A chair scraping on the floor
Copyright © 2006 The Express. Source: Financial Times Information Limited - Europe Intelligence Wire.
Ace
07/21/2006 06:29:10 AM EDT
THE EXPRESS
POP! Then glug, glug, glug as wine flows from a newlyopened bottle. . .
That is the world's most beautiful sound, a poll shows.
Better than a crackling open fire, sweeter than the dawn chorus, more lilting than laughter the pouring of wine is in a glass of its own, according to the survey of 3,000 people across Britain.
On the other hand, the most annoying sound that life has to offer is the screaming of a child more annoying, even, than novelty ring tones, unanswered burglar alarms and the whine of the dentist's drill.
But sentimental Britons also said their most memorable sound was their children's first words.
The survey, by Siemens' Hearing Instruments, revealed that nearly one in three is kept awake at night by a snoring family member.
Eighteen per cent have their beauty sleep disturbed by drunken partygoers and 16 per cent are woken up by noisy neighbours.
The sound of gunshot was picked by 38 per cent as the scariest sound they would ever hear.
Squeaky comedian Joe Pasquale was nominated as the celebrity with the most annoying voice, just ahead of Janet Street Porter and Jade Goody.
Women named Sean Connery as the star with the sexiest voice, along with Pierce Brosnan and Barry White, while men opted for the husky Mariella Frostrup over Angelina Jolie and Joanna Lumley.
More than half those who answered the survey 57 per cent said there was a stigma attached to wearing a hearing aid.
And 34 per cent said they would be put off wearing a hearing aid because of the stigma.
Psychologist Dr Glenn Wilson from Kings College, London, who analysed the survey for Siemens, said: "Favourite sounds are either associated with fun and pleasure such as wine being poured or peace and reassurance, such as a purring cat or an open fire.
"The most annoying sounds are those that are intrusive and peaceshattering. Threatening sound, such as gunshots, or nails on chalkboard are also a problem.
He added: "Hearing aids once meant 'old' and 'handicapped' and therefore likely to be a nuisance.
"However, this stigma is diminishing as young people adopt earpieces for their ipods, mobile phones and other 'techy' devices and technology improves to ensure that hearing aids do not just amplify noises but improve clarity and intelligibility." Rob Ryman, hearing therapist and audiologist at Siemens, said: "Up to 15 years can pass between the onset of hearing loss and the moment people first seek help.
"Technology now ensures that hearing aid users feel comfortable and confident in any situation."
NOISES WE LOVE & HATE
MOST FAVOURITE
1.Glug of wine as it pours into a glass
2. Dawn chorus
3. A cat purring
4. Rain falling
5. Laughter
6. A stream flowing over rocks
7. An open fire
8. Waves crashing on the shore
9. Footsteps through fresh snow
10. Rain on a tent/caravan roof
11. The acceleration of a powerful car
12. Church bells in the distance
13. A cricket bat hitting a cricket ball
14. The wind passing through the leaves of a tree
15. Crowds chanting at a football match
16. Lawn mowers in the summer
17. Seagulls calling
18. The rustle of a feather duvet
19. Pebbles being thrown into water
20. Popping of a champagne cork
LEAST FAVOURITE
1.Screaming children
2. The sound of nails on a chalk board
3. Car or house alarms
4. A dentist's drill
5. A yapping dog
6. Someone talking with their mouth full
7. Mobile ring tones
8. Alarm clocks
9. Someone's knife grinding on a plate
10. Someone grinding their teeth
11. Car horns in traffic
12. An unanswered phone
13. Dripping tap
14. Someone biting their nails
15. Someone blowing their nose 16. A squeaky door
17. People chewing gum
18. Screeching brakes
19. Someone learning the violin
20. A chair scraping on the floor
Copyright © 2006 The Express. Source: Financial Times Information Limited - Europe Intelligence Wire.
Ace
