Or when the fork scratches the plate. Unbearable noise triggers a primitive reaction in our brain.
The uncomfortable feeling caused by certain sounds – such as passing the nail through the wall, that of chalk to scratch or a fork scratching a plate – is an uncomfortable experience that, while affects more than others, is universal.
These unbearable noises cause automatic reactions that include chills, muscle tension and even the thrust of covering the ears. But why do we react like that?
The evolution and the sound alarm
The answer lies in our evolutionary origins and the biology of the human ear, explains the.
The acute sounds that cause us discomfort are usually between 2,000 and 4,000 Hz, the frequency range in which our ears are most sensitive. This sensitivity has roots in the survival of our ancestors.
In the past, Resting sounds could signal dangerlike the cry of an animal in trouble or a human alert to the presence of predators. Our brain has evolved to react quickly to these stimuli, activating the amygdalathe region responsible for emotions and the instinct of struggle or escape.
Although today we live in relative security, our body maintains this primitive reaction.
The amplification of discomfort and the inevitable reaction
The structure of the human ear canal naturally amplifies sounds in this frequency range, making them more intense. This, coupled with small anatomical differences, explains why some people are more sensitive to these sounds than others.
In addition, the Cultural and Emotional Association It also plays a role. For example, the sound of chalk scratching a picture can evoke school stress memories, increasing the perception of discomfort.
Although we understand that these sounds do not pose a real danger, the physiological reaction persists. The answer is automatic and often uncontrollable: it is a “smell” of our evolution.
