Nails on Chalkboard: The Sounds We Hate

What sound do you hate? We’re actually curious, feel free to comment and let us know!

Several researchers have been subjecting people to unpleasant sounds in order to determine what happens in the brain when we hear something we don’t like. Brain mapping says hearing unpleasant sounds spur the brain’s amygdala (responsible for fear and aggression) to respond negatively.

Surprisingly, nails on a chalkboard ranks only number 5, in the list of sounds that make us cringe. The other are:

10. electric drill

9. baby crying

8. brakes on a cycle squealing

7. angle grinder

6. female scream

5. nails on a chalkboard

4. a ruler on a bottle

3. chalk on a blackboard

2. a fork on glass

1. a knife on a bottle

Greg Nedelec BC-HIS