Why should you make 2013 the year you prioritize your hearing health? Because if you don’t, you may miss out on hearing these forms of ear candy.
The following is a list of what I consider to be the world’s 10 most amazing sounds. They’re a diverse mix of natural and human-made noises. Some are common, some are rare, all are amazing. Here they are:
1. Symphony
“Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony is the most sublime noise that has ever penetrated into the ear of man.” So said author E.M. Forster.
But Beethoven’s Fifth isn’t the only symphony that is special. Any time you hear an orchestra performing at its best is a treat for the ears and the eyes. Classical music is a triumph of human invention and one of the greatest sounds we can ever enjoy hearing.
2. The Ocean
It’s not just the visual aspect of the blue water and the never-ending horizon that draws us to the ocean. It’s the sound of the waves too. The lapping of water is deeply soulful to all people, even spiritual in some cultures.
Being without it in some ways is like suffering an amputation — that’s how much the ocean means to us biologically and psychologically.
3. Thunder
Believe it or not, thunder is one of the world’s most amazing sounds—and many people love it.
Lightning causes thunder by first heating the air to a temperature that’s approximately three times hotter than the sun. As the air cools rapidly, it emits the loud thunder pop, which is one of the most riveting and heart-pounding sounds known to man.
4. Cheers
The sound of victory — whether it follows a goal being scored or the arrival on stage of a newly elected president—is one of the most emotionally uplifting sounds any of us could ever hear.
Life truly wouldn’t be the same without being able to take part in and enjoy the cheers and whistles that go along with being on the winning side.
5. A Good Joke
Sure, you can read the joke, but part of the repertoire of any great comic is in the delivery, and you can only enjoy the setup of a joke if you’re able to hear it.
6. Children
Few things elicit heart-warming feelings like children’s laughter. In fact, it’s the one sound that people who incur hearing loss say they miss the most. The ability to stay connected to the people we adore is always reason No. 1 to take control of our hearing health.
7. Fireworks
The sight of pyrotechnics wouldn’t be complete without the snap or crackle when they go off—not to mention the whirr of anticipation just before they explode. While you should wear earplugs when you watch fireworks, you should still make sure you catch the noise they make. It’s part of the excitement!
8. Songbirds
Bellbirds, nightingales, skylarks, and song sparrows are among the birds whose calls are adored by bird lovers and anyone who revels being out in nature. Their melodious songs are a naturally occurring treasure, one of the many reasons our planet is so amazing.
9. Waterfalls
Whether it’s the raging gush of Niagara or the more gentle plummet of Venezuela’s Orinoco, waterfalls command your attention, in part because you hear them much earlier than you see them. Standing beside them as they roar or trickle and sprinkle on your skin is a thrill for all your senses.
10. Your Favourite Musician
We all have musicians we adore. What if you couldn’t hear their next song? Or ever enjoy again one of their classics? Or listen to them live at a concert? It would surely be missed—just like any of these amazing sounds.
MJ DeSousa, an audiologist and Director of Professional Practice at Connect Hearing, leads a team of hearing professionals across Canada. Her Ask MJ video series answers questions about hearing health: www.connecthearing.ca/askmj.php
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