Worst Sound in the World Discovered: Can You Handle It? (VIDEO, AUDIO)
What’s the worst sound in the world? Is it a screaming toddler? Or nails on a blackboard?
According to science, it’s actually the sound of a knife scraping against a glass bottle.
The study that determined this involved human subjects being subjected to 74 different sounds, ranging from pleasant (a gently babbling brook) to unpleasant (a knife on a glass bottle) while sitting in an MRI machine. Scientists studied the subjects’ brain activity as they listened to each sound, and subjects were also required to rank each sound based on how unbearable it was.
Photo credit: Dumb and Dumber
This study has benefits beyond identifying a sound that is scientifically proven to annoy and possibly inflict psychological harm on your friends – it also shows us how the brain reacts to unpleasant sounds. And, as ABC News reports, it can also teach us why certain people are more sensitive to unpleasant sounds, and what causes disorders such as tinnitus.
Below, you’ll find 10 minutes and 27 seconds worth of the sound of a knife scraping against a glass bottle. Do you fancy yourself a tough guy (or lady) who isn’t easily rattled? Press play and see how long you can listen for. Post your high score in the comments – winner gets bragging rights.
