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Sound Affects: How Sound Shapes Our Lives, Our Wellbeing and Our Planet
'Transformative and a fascinating read; this book will open your ears to the world of sound and change your life' Steven Bartlett, bestselling author of The Diary of a CEO
'A fascinating insight into the power of sound' Susan Cain, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of QUIET
Every day, the sounds around us affect every aspect of our human experience, and thus fundamentally alter our quality of life, for better or worse. It is only recently that scientists have realised that sounds connect us to the world in ways that are every bit as vivid and evocative as visual landscapes. Hearing is the first sense we develop, and as our primary warning sense it is hardwired into our brains. And yet, in an increasingly noisy and distracted world, most people pay scant attention to the sounds around them, causing them to lose contact with the essential skill of listening.
Sound Affects is about rediscovering the wonder of sound, and understanding how powerfully it affects us, whether we are paying attention or not. It is also a manual for taking back responsibility for the sounds we consume and the sounds we make, so we can enhance our own happiness, effectiveness and well-being.
In the process, the reader will discover
- stars are like bells, ringing with sound black holes make sound 50 octaves below what we can hear
- snapping shrimp may be only 1cm long but they make sound that's as loud as a rock concert
- whales can communicate underwater over hundreds of miles with very low frequency sound that travels five times as fast as sound in air
- individual cells make unique sounds, enabling scientists detect early signs of metastases
- dolphins have names and call each other by them
'A fascinating insight into the power of sound' Susan Cain, No. 1 New York Times bestselling author of QUIET
Every day, the sounds around us affect every aspect of our human experience, and thus fundamentally alter our quality of life, for better or worse. It is only recently that scientists have realised that sounds connect us to the world in ways that are every bit as vivid and evocative as visual landscapes. Hearing is the first sense we develop, and as our primary warning sense it is hardwired into our brains. And yet, in an increasingly noisy and distracted world, most people pay scant attention to the sounds around them, causing them to lose contact with the essential skill of listening.
Sound Affects is about rediscovering the wonder of sound, and understanding how powerfully it affects us, whether we are paying attention or not. It is also a manual for taking back responsibility for the sounds we consume and the sounds we make, so we can enhance our own happiness, effectiveness and well-being.
In the process, the reader will discover
- stars are like bells, ringing with sound black holes make sound 50 octaves below what we can hear
- snapping shrimp may be only 1cm long but they make sound that's as loud as a rock concert
- whales can communicate underwater over hundreds of miles with very low frequency sound that travels five times as fast as sound in air
- individual cells make unique sounds, enabling scientists detect early signs of metastases
- dolphins have names and call each other by them
352 pages, Hardcover
Published June 3, 2025
14 people are currently reading
383 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 31, 2026
"This book is all about the urgent need for all of us to listen, partly for our own happiness, effectiveness and well-being, and partly because we are surrounded by extraordinary and wonderful sounds..."
Sound Affects was an interesting book. I enjoyed most of the writing, though the middle of the book dragged a bit for me. It is all about the urgent need for all of us to listen, partly for our own happiness, effectiveness and well-being, and partly because we are surrounded by extraordinary and wonderful sounds.
Author Julian Treasure is a sound expert and five-time TED speaker who has spent his career studying how sound affects us physically, psychologically, and behaviorally.
Julian Treasure:
I consumed this as an immersive audiobook which included sound clips—a nice touch that suited the subject matter. Treasure gets the writing off on a good foot, with a great intro that set the hook. Unfortunately, I found the intro to be the high water mark of the book, and didn't feel like the pacing and flow of the rest measured up to the high bar established by his intro.
He drops the quote at the start of this review early on, and it continues:
Treasure talks about the historical shift from ear to eye, noting that for most of human history, we were an oral species:
The book also touches on the biological origins of sound, explaining that it is our first portal to the world:
The author covers a wide range of "sonic" topics here, including:
• The Animal Kingdom: The mechanics of birds, bats, and elephants, and the fact that cats who can roar cannot purr (and vice versa).
• Behavioral Science: How slow-paced music in supermarkets can increase sales by 38% by slowing down foot traffic.
• Health: The physiological load that constant background noise places on the human nervous system.
• Natural Wonders: The physics of high-decibel events like volcanoes, meteor impacts, and thunder.
********************
I enjoyed this one, although the middle of the book was a bit of a slog...
I would still recommend it to anyone interested.
4.5 stars.
Sound Affects was an interesting book. I enjoyed most of the writing, though the middle of the book dragged a bit for me. It is all about the urgent need for all of us to listen, partly for our own happiness, effectiveness and well-being, and partly because we are surrounded by extraordinary and wonderful sounds.
Author Julian Treasure is a sound expert and five-time TED speaker who has spent his career studying how sound affects us physically, psychologically, and behaviorally.
Julian Treasure:
I consumed this as an immersive audiobook which included sound clips—a nice touch that suited the subject matter. Treasure gets the writing off on a good foot, with a great intro that set the hook. Unfortunately, I found the intro to be the high water mark of the book, and didn't feel like the pacing and flow of the rest measured up to the high bar established by his intro.
He drops the quote at the start of this review early on, and it continues:
"..Our acoustic environments impact our happiness, effectiveness and well-being. Who hasn’t sighed in relief when an air conditioning unit or the hum of a refrigerator ceases, even if it was never consciously noticed? That feeling of relief is a clue to the load that noise can place on us. There are things we can all be doing to improve our relationship with sound—but this is only part of the story."
Treasure talks about the historical shift from ear to eye, noting that for most of human history, we were an oral species:
"In the short time since [the Industrial Revolution], accounting for less than a tenth of one percent of human history, our relationship with the world has dramatically tilted and become heavily weighted to the eyes... Visual communication has become dominant. We teach reading and writing in school, but not speaking or listening."
The book also touches on the biological origins of sound, explaining that it is our first portal to the world:
"Hearing is the first sense we develop, as early as twelve weeks after conception—long before the ears are fully formed. What we hear in the womb is mainly our mother’s heartbeat. Its three-time lub-dub-pause, lubdub- pause is the rhythm of waltzes and lullabies. The tones and cadences of a mother’s voice, muffled and bass-heavy in the womb, mean that when a child is born they can already distinguish their mother’s voice (and language) from others. The shock of birth is at least in part the sudden revelation of sharp, high-frequency sound traveling through air—a dramatic change from the damped sound traveling through fluid that we have experienced until that moment—combined with the sudden removal of that comforting heartbeat. No wonder newborns cry."
The author covers a wide range of "sonic" topics here, including:
• The Animal Kingdom: The mechanics of birds, bats, and elephants, and the fact that cats who can roar cannot purr (and vice versa).
• Behavioral Science: How slow-paced music in supermarkets can increase sales by 38% by slowing down foot traffic.
• Health: The physiological load that constant background noise places on the human nervous system.
• Natural Wonders: The physics of high-decibel events like volcanoes, meteor impacts, and thunder.
********************
I enjoyed this one, although the middle of the book was a bit of a slog...
I would still recommend it to anyone interested.
4.5 stars.
Read
August 13, 2025In "Sound Affects" by Justin Treasure, the author invites readers to rediscover the transformative potential of deliberate listening. Sound is more than background noise - it is the thread weaving together perception, emotion, and memory. Even at this very moment, your brain is decoding invisible waves of energy, turning them into meaningful experiences. Every rustle of fabric, every nuance in a spoken word, and every vibration that travels through air, water, or even your bones shapes your sense of being alive. Yet true listening is not the same as simply hearing. Treasure urges us to engage intentionally with the vast spectrum of sonic experiences - whether drawn from the natural world, living creatures, humanity’s own creations, the cosmos, or even the silence between sounds - to enrich our awareness and connection to life.
The book begins by exploring the sound of the Earth itself, known as geophony. Long before life evolved, the planet was alive with the music of wind, rain, waves, and shifting earth. These patterns of sound helped shape the nervous systems of early humans, triggering instinctive physiological responses. The rhythm of ocean waves can unconsciously sync with breathing, rain can quickly lower heart rate, and the whisper of wind can ease tension. Modern life, dominated by urban noise, often drowns out these ancient harmonies, depriving us of their restorative effects. Yet even in cities, one can intentionally reclaim them - by setting aside moments each day to focus exclusively on natural sounds, whether through direct experience or recorded soundscapes. Such a practice helps the body relax, reconnecting us with patterns that have soothed humans for countless generations.
From the inanimate voice of the planet, Treasure moves into biophony - the chorus of living organisms. Every species contributes its own part to the global symphony: birds time their calls to optimize travel through morning air, whales send songs across hundreds of miles of ocean, elephants communicate in deep vibrations that travel underground, and even shrimp stun prey with explosive snaps. Animals have evolved remarkable listening skills that far exceed our own - bats and dolphins navigate by sound alone, while owls use asymmetrical hearing to hunt with uncanny precision. Research shows that rich biophonic environments benefit humans as well: children surrounded by varied natural sounds often develop stronger language and focus, while adults in bird-filled neighborhoods report better sleep and lower stress. To tune into this living orchestra, Treasure recommends focused listening exercises, such as identifying and studying a handful of biological sounds each day, heightening awareness of our shared acoustic community.
The book then turns to anthropophony - the sounds generated by humanity and its inventions. Human-made sounds range from intimate whispers to deafening machinery, and while some are beautiful, others are disruptive. Modern life floods our senses with alarms, traffic, construction, and electronic alerts, often triggering stress responses similar to those evoked by natural danger. Chronic exposure to this noise can affect concentration, sleep, and overall health. Yet humans are also capable of producing sounds of extraordinary emotional and social value: music that unites strangers, voices that convey layers of meaning beyond words, and rhythms that synchronize hearts in a shared beat. Businesses exploit these effects - retailers adjust music to influence shopping behavior, while cafés fine-tune noise levels to shape customer moods. Treasure encourages readers to take ownership of their personal sound environment, reducing harmful noise where possible and introducing positive sounds - be it soothing music or pleasant human voices - to craft healthier acoustic spaces.
Beyond Earth’s biosphere, Treasure introduces cosmophony, the soundscape of the universe. Space may seem silent, yet it hums and sings in frequencies we cannot naturally hear. Planets, stars, and cosmic events generate vibrations that scientists have translated into audible form. Saturn’s rings produce ghostly tones, Jupiter emits sounds reminiscent of whale calls mixed with electronics, and our own planet resonates with a low, continuous hum. The sun churns and roars with energy, black holes produce bass notes through gravitational waves, and neutron stars pulse rhythmically. Even the Big Bang left behind a faint but measurable acoustic imprint. Listening to these recordings can shift our perspective, placing human life in the context of a vast, ancient, and dynamic universe. By seeking out and engaging with these cosmic sounds - many freely available through space agency archives - we can awaken a renewed sense of wonder that reframes daily concerns in the light of the infinite.
The final sonic realm is not one of noise, but of quiet. Absolute silence is rare, and in specialized anechoic chambers - spaces that absorb nearly all external sound - people often hear the hidden noises of their own bodies: heartbeat, blood flow, and nervous system activity. Silence reveals how our brains continuously filter sounds, and removing outside noise can recalibrate our hearing, making us more sensitive to subtle details once we return to sound-filled spaces. Cultures across history have valued silence as a tool for spiritual growth, focus, and healing. Scientific studies confirm its benefits: reducing stress, enhancing creativity, and improving memory. Yet true quiet is increasingly hard to find in our noisy world. Many people even feel uneasy when confronted with deep silence, having grown unaccustomed to their own internal soundscape. Treasure suggests reclaiming this powerful state by seeking the quietest environment available, turning off devices, and allowing the ear to tune into the faintest of sounds. This practice, even for just a few minutes a day, not only rests the nervous system but sharpens listening skills, making all other soundscapes more vivid and meaningful.
In "Sound Affects", Justin Treasure makes the case that conscious listening is not merely a personal enrichment technique, but a way to live more harmoniously with the world. Sound shapes mood, behavior, and health, influencing us whether we notice it or not. By intentionally engaging with geophony, biophony, anthropophony, cosmophony, and the restorative power of silence, we can improve our well-being, strengthen our connection to nature, and broaden our sense of belonging in the universe. The choice lies in whether we continue to be passive recipients of sound or become active participants in shaping our acoustic environment. As Treasure reminds us, the sounds we notice - or fail to notice - form the soundtrack of our lives. By learning to truly listen, we can create a richer, calmer, and more connected existence, and perhaps even contribute to more mindful and healthful soundscapes for everyone.
The book begins by exploring the sound of the Earth itself, known as geophony. Long before life evolved, the planet was alive with the music of wind, rain, waves, and shifting earth. These patterns of sound helped shape the nervous systems of early humans, triggering instinctive physiological responses. The rhythm of ocean waves can unconsciously sync with breathing, rain can quickly lower heart rate, and the whisper of wind can ease tension. Modern life, dominated by urban noise, often drowns out these ancient harmonies, depriving us of their restorative effects. Yet even in cities, one can intentionally reclaim them - by setting aside moments each day to focus exclusively on natural sounds, whether through direct experience or recorded soundscapes. Such a practice helps the body relax, reconnecting us with patterns that have soothed humans for countless generations.
From the inanimate voice of the planet, Treasure moves into biophony - the chorus of living organisms. Every species contributes its own part to the global symphony: birds time their calls to optimize travel through morning air, whales send songs across hundreds of miles of ocean, elephants communicate in deep vibrations that travel underground, and even shrimp stun prey with explosive snaps. Animals have evolved remarkable listening skills that far exceed our own - bats and dolphins navigate by sound alone, while owls use asymmetrical hearing to hunt with uncanny precision. Research shows that rich biophonic environments benefit humans as well: children surrounded by varied natural sounds often develop stronger language and focus, while adults in bird-filled neighborhoods report better sleep and lower stress. To tune into this living orchestra, Treasure recommends focused listening exercises, such as identifying and studying a handful of biological sounds each day, heightening awareness of our shared acoustic community.
The book then turns to anthropophony - the sounds generated by humanity and its inventions. Human-made sounds range from intimate whispers to deafening machinery, and while some are beautiful, others are disruptive. Modern life floods our senses with alarms, traffic, construction, and electronic alerts, often triggering stress responses similar to those evoked by natural danger. Chronic exposure to this noise can affect concentration, sleep, and overall health. Yet humans are also capable of producing sounds of extraordinary emotional and social value: music that unites strangers, voices that convey layers of meaning beyond words, and rhythms that synchronize hearts in a shared beat. Businesses exploit these effects - retailers adjust music to influence shopping behavior, while cafés fine-tune noise levels to shape customer moods. Treasure encourages readers to take ownership of their personal sound environment, reducing harmful noise where possible and introducing positive sounds - be it soothing music or pleasant human voices - to craft healthier acoustic spaces.
Beyond Earth’s biosphere, Treasure introduces cosmophony, the soundscape of the universe. Space may seem silent, yet it hums and sings in frequencies we cannot naturally hear. Planets, stars, and cosmic events generate vibrations that scientists have translated into audible form. Saturn’s rings produce ghostly tones, Jupiter emits sounds reminiscent of whale calls mixed with electronics, and our own planet resonates with a low, continuous hum. The sun churns and roars with energy, black holes produce bass notes through gravitational waves, and neutron stars pulse rhythmically. Even the Big Bang left behind a faint but measurable acoustic imprint. Listening to these recordings can shift our perspective, placing human life in the context of a vast, ancient, and dynamic universe. By seeking out and engaging with these cosmic sounds - many freely available through space agency archives - we can awaken a renewed sense of wonder that reframes daily concerns in the light of the infinite.
The final sonic realm is not one of noise, but of quiet. Absolute silence is rare, and in specialized anechoic chambers - spaces that absorb nearly all external sound - people often hear the hidden noises of their own bodies: heartbeat, blood flow, and nervous system activity. Silence reveals how our brains continuously filter sounds, and removing outside noise can recalibrate our hearing, making us more sensitive to subtle details once we return to sound-filled spaces. Cultures across history have valued silence as a tool for spiritual growth, focus, and healing. Scientific studies confirm its benefits: reducing stress, enhancing creativity, and improving memory. Yet true quiet is increasingly hard to find in our noisy world. Many people even feel uneasy when confronted with deep silence, having grown unaccustomed to their own internal soundscape. Treasure suggests reclaiming this powerful state by seeking the quietest environment available, turning off devices, and allowing the ear to tune into the faintest of sounds. This practice, even for just a few minutes a day, not only rests the nervous system but sharpens listening skills, making all other soundscapes more vivid and meaningful.
In "Sound Affects", Justin Treasure makes the case that conscious listening is not merely a personal enrichment technique, but a way to live more harmoniously with the world. Sound shapes mood, behavior, and health, influencing us whether we notice it or not. By intentionally engaging with geophony, biophony, anthropophony, cosmophony, and the restorative power of silence, we can improve our well-being, strengthen our connection to nature, and broaden our sense of belonging in the universe. The choice lies in whether we continue to be passive recipients of sound or become active participants in shaping our acoustic environment. As Treasure reminds us, the sounds we notice - or fail to notice - form the soundtrack of our lives. By learning to truly listen, we can create a richer, calmer, and more connected existence, and perhaps even contribute to more mindful and healthful soundscapes for everyone.
June 10, 2025
3 stars
This audiobook describes, in great length, the mechanisms/affects/effects of our Earthly soundscape and how it affects both humans and other living beings. If this is something that interests you, you will learn everything you have ever wanted to know and more by reading this book.
I was personally confused as to why short clips of many of the sounds described were not incorporated into the audiobook. I realize that they were loaded onto a website for those reading the physical book, though think that they should absolutely have been embedded into both the audiobook, and as clickable links in an e-book. Listening to the author reading without the breaks these clips could have given was quite boring in sections, even despite my interest in the subject.
Further, as someone who is neurodivergent, I really did not appreciate the author making conjectures as to the origins of neuro-diversity (ie. ADHD). This field is being studied well by all kinds of wonderful experts, with the use of many forms of technology. Adding misinformation to this field is unwelcome, and also makes me question claims made by the author within fields that I am less familiar with.
I do think that much of the book is well-researched and sources are well-credited. I believe that what sounds we surround ourselves with make a difference to our moods and mental health. But I also think that this audiobook could have been made better.
This audiobook describes, in great length, the mechanisms/affects/effects of our Earthly soundscape and how it affects both humans and other living beings. If this is something that interests you, you will learn everything you have ever wanted to know and more by reading this book.
I was personally confused as to why short clips of many of the sounds described were not incorporated into the audiobook. I realize that they were loaded onto a website for those reading the physical book, though think that they should absolutely have been embedded into both the audiobook, and as clickable links in an e-book. Listening to the author reading without the breaks these clips could have given was quite boring in sections, even despite my interest in the subject.
Further, as someone who is neurodivergent, I really did not appreciate the author making conjectures as to the origins of neuro-diversity (ie. ADHD). This field is being studied well by all kinds of wonderful experts, with the use of many forms of technology. Adding misinformation to this field is unwelcome, and also makes me question claims made by the author within fields that I am less familiar with.
I do think that much of the book is well-researched and sources are well-credited. I believe that what sounds we surround ourselves with make a difference to our moods and mental health. But I also think that this audiobook could have been made better.
June 1, 2025
A combination of popular science and self-help books that is both interesting and engaging. I must admit that I have never paid much attention to listening and soundscapes, so many of the author's observations were new to me. As he writes:
“My belief is that increasing our awareness of sound and employing conscious listening can transform our happiness, effectiveness, wellbeing – and, in particular, our personal and societal relationships. Never have we needed listening more than we do today in a world threatened by polarisation, dogma and conflict”.
To make his point, he sprinkles his story with short 'What You Can Do' sections containing practical exercises and advice. It's definitely worth reading!
Thanks to the publisher, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book
“My belief is that increasing our awareness of sound and employing conscious listening can transform our happiness, effectiveness, wellbeing – and, in particular, our personal and societal relationships. Never have we needed listening more than we do today in a world threatened by polarisation, dogma and conflict”.
To make his point, he sprinkles his story with short 'What You Can Do' sections containing practical exercises and advice. It's definitely worth reading!
Thanks to the publisher, Grand Central Publishing, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book
April 13, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for this new book that looks at something we take for granted, or mostly complain about, the sounds of the world around us, from humans, nature, gadgets, music and more, how this influenced our development, and how by not listening we miss much around us.
I inherited my father's vision which has meant glasses since the fourth grade. As such, I have always had a fear about not being able to see, as books are something that I really treasure. I also took to my father's side for hearing, and this has always been excellent. Oddly enough not with human voices, as I find small talk pretty boring, but I can catalog sounds in my head, and know what, where and why something is making a sound. My dog understands this and when there is a strange noise in the neighborhood, my dog will look to me for a reaction. Usually I will tell her, "Guy next door is opening the shed, or Amazon is delivering something up the block." If I look confused, Mattie will hit the window barking away. My brother is my opposite, he has no need of glasses, but has my Mother's ear problems, lots of tubes, surgery and hearing loss. Though he can hear music well, and knows when his children are acting up. I take my hearing for granted, but after reading this book, I think I will treasure the world of noise we all live in. Sound Affects: How Sound Shapes Our Lives, Our Wellbeing and Our Planet by Julian Treasure is an examination of sound and how it shapes us in many ways, from our mental health, need to shop, understanding of the world, and even love for each other.
The book begins with a look at our modern world, and how sound around is louder, more people are using ear buds to enjoy their world of sound, including music, and podcasts. However we seem not to be communicating with sound much. There are no real elocution classes anymore. Most of our communications are done in text or emoji. Even the popular videos have added subtitles to the bottom, mostly for clicks, but people don't seem to want to listen to people any more. And yet everyone seems to have a podcast, and the world seems to be getting noisier. Treasure looks at the problems that we are having with hearing, people listening to headphones to loud, the world getting louder around us. The fact that hearing once lost is not something that comes back easy. Treasure than goes into the reasons why we should be listening. The first sound we hear is our mother's heart. Sound is a survival method, telling us to run when things sound bad. Sound can help our mood, get a person motivated, change a frown upside down, even make us spend money in stores. In an effort to engage more with sound, Treasure offers different exercises, way of making friends with the noises we hear, to separate the wheat that is important, from the chaff, which while noise, should be kept in the background.
Julian Treasure is known for his work in sound, creating Apps and research projects to further the understanding between humans and the sounds we live among. Treasure is also known for his TED talks both about sounds and communication. The book is a very interesting look at a part of the world we really don't pay much attention too, but should. The book is full of information and lots of facts. At times the book can get kind of deep both in science and in philosophy. There is a little of TED talk in the writing, especially with the talking about Apps and other programs. There are a lot of facts, but what I really enjoyed were the exercises that Treasure includes to make sense of the sounds one hears. Especially the one he calls mixing, where one tries to lower and raise different sounds, like a record producer would on a song. I've started doing this at work, and it really makes a difference.
A book with lost of fact and information, as well as makes readers appreciate all their senses. Readers of Mary Roach will enjoy the writing, and will learn quite a lot.
I inherited my father's vision which has meant glasses since the fourth grade. As such, I have always had a fear about not being able to see, as books are something that I really treasure. I also took to my father's side for hearing, and this has always been excellent. Oddly enough not with human voices, as I find small talk pretty boring, but I can catalog sounds in my head, and know what, where and why something is making a sound. My dog understands this and when there is a strange noise in the neighborhood, my dog will look to me for a reaction. Usually I will tell her, "Guy next door is opening the shed, or Amazon is delivering something up the block." If I look confused, Mattie will hit the window barking away. My brother is my opposite, he has no need of glasses, but has my Mother's ear problems, lots of tubes, surgery and hearing loss. Though he can hear music well, and knows when his children are acting up. I take my hearing for granted, but after reading this book, I think I will treasure the world of noise we all live in. Sound Affects: How Sound Shapes Our Lives, Our Wellbeing and Our Planet by Julian Treasure is an examination of sound and how it shapes us in many ways, from our mental health, need to shop, understanding of the world, and even love for each other.
The book begins with a look at our modern world, and how sound around is louder, more people are using ear buds to enjoy their world of sound, including music, and podcasts. However we seem not to be communicating with sound much. There are no real elocution classes anymore. Most of our communications are done in text or emoji. Even the popular videos have added subtitles to the bottom, mostly for clicks, but people don't seem to want to listen to people any more. And yet everyone seems to have a podcast, and the world seems to be getting noisier. Treasure looks at the problems that we are having with hearing, people listening to headphones to loud, the world getting louder around us. The fact that hearing once lost is not something that comes back easy. Treasure than goes into the reasons why we should be listening. The first sound we hear is our mother's heart. Sound is a survival method, telling us to run when things sound bad. Sound can help our mood, get a person motivated, change a frown upside down, even make us spend money in stores. In an effort to engage more with sound, Treasure offers different exercises, way of making friends with the noises we hear, to separate the wheat that is important, from the chaff, which while noise, should be kept in the background.
Julian Treasure is known for his work in sound, creating Apps and research projects to further the understanding between humans and the sounds we live among. Treasure is also known for his TED talks both about sounds and communication. The book is a very interesting look at a part of the world we really don't pay much attention too, but should. The book is full of information and lots of facts. At times the book can get kind of deep both in science and in philosophy. There is a little of TED talk in the writing, especially with the talking about Apps and other programs. There are a lot of facts, but what I really enjoyed were the exercises that Treasure includes to make sense of the sounds one hears. Especially the one he calls mixing, where one tries to lower and raise different sounds, like a record producer would on a song. I've started doing this at work, and it really makes a difference.
A book with lost of fact and information, as well as makes readers appreciate all their senses. Readers of Mary Roach will enjoy the writing, and will learn quite a lot.
May 30, 2025
I can't remember the last time a science book so perfectly (harmoniously?) balanced science and philosophy and aesthetics and spirituality as "Sound Affects" does. Like the best poetry, it filled me with delight for all of the ordinary, extraordinary things I experience each day. I have been tuned into what I hear. Not to be too hyperbolic about it, but this book has changed my life. I live in a beautiful place, about a mile from the sea, in an aural zone that mixes the songs of field birds and sea birds, and where I can hear sea lions bellowing out on the rocks when the wind is right, and the cries of red-tail hawks along with seagulls, and screech owls, and children playing, and people talking, and crows crowing...and now my ears are opened. Simply paying attention to what I'm hearing as I go on my daily walks has taken me out of my head, and away from my thoughts, and into a place of wonder.
There are so many other sides of this extraordinary book. My sense of wonder for the miracle of harmonics, its relationship with whole-number ratios, has been ignited. My knowledge of noise pollution, and my sense of loss over what human activity has done/is doing to our natural world have been vastly expanded. The understanding I've been given that vibration/sound is the first, primal, evolutionarily necessary sense, far more fundamental than sight, will change the way I think about things forever.
A word about the audiobook: It's fantastic. The author/narrator is perfect for the message. It's a book about sound and for that reason the audio experience seemed to suit its subject perfectly. There is also a web site with further audio examples, providing layers of understanding that words on a page can't express.
I feel I should add a comment for what seems like an obvious question for anyone reading this review: What about deaf people? Is this book implying deaf people are less-than?--and it isn't that way at all. The author's premise is that the range of sounds that even the sharpest-eared among us can hear is woefully small. He reminds us that the fundamental characteristic of what we call "sound" is vibration, which extends far beyond what human ears can perceive.That stars make sounds. Yeast cells make sounds. That our own bodies hear in ever so many ways, not just through our ears, but by perceiving vibrations throughout our bodies.
I'm thinking about the title now. Sound Affects. "Affects" as a verb. Sound affects us.
I enthusiastically recommend this book.
There are so many other sides of this extraordinary book. My sense of wonder for the miracle of harmonics, its relationship with whole-number ratios, has been ignited. My knowledge of noise pollution, and my sense of loss over what human activity has done/is doing to our natural world have been vastly expanded. The understanding I've been given that vibration/sound is the first, primal, evolutionarily necessary sense, far more fundamental than sight, will change the way I think about things forever.
A word about the audiobook: It's fantastic. The author/narrator is perfect for the message. It's a book about sound and for that reason the audio experience seemed to suit its subject perfectly. There is also a web site with further audio examples, providing layers of understanding that words on a page can't express.
I feel I should add a comment for what seems like an obvious question for anyone reading this review: What about deaf people? Is this book implying deaf people are less-than?--and it isn't that way at all. The author's premise is that the range of sounds that even the sharpest-eared among us can hear is woefully small. He reminds us that the fundamental characteristic of what we call "sound" is vibration, which extends far beyond what human ears can perceive.That stars make sounds. Yeast cells make sounds. That our own bodies hear in ever so many ways, not just through our ears, but by perceiving vibrations throughout our bodies.
I'm thinking about the title now. Sound Affects. "Affects" as a verb. Sound affects us.
I enthusiastically recommend this book.
June 11, 2025
"Sound Affects" is about sounds and how they affect us and animals. This is a book of numbers, most of them in metric (kph, cm, m). It got mentally exhausting trying to relate the information to how I experience the world: "so, let's see, that would be....well, really fast, probably. Really loud. Something I can't hear." I have a good memory, but I've pretty much forgotten what's in this book (and I just finished) beyond vague impressions.
I enjoyed the first few chapters as they were about human hearing: how it works, how sounds affect us, listening to the sounds around us, and changing our sound environment to be more productive. The author then got into fun facts about animals (birds, land animals, and sea animals): the range of sounds that they can hear or make, why they might make sounds like songs, and how human noises are affecting animal behavior. Some of the 'human sounds are to blame' connections do seem likely, like birds singing louder and earlier in cities to be heard over human noise. Other examples left me thinking, "well, that could be caused by day-and-night artificial light, pesticides, EMFs, etc., and not just sound." The author then got into a rant about how horrible human sounds are to animals and we ought to do something about it. Followed by a chapter about the future of sound, wherein the author seemed pleased with the idea of people living mostly isolated at home surrounded by artificial, modified (and high-definition) sound curated by an AI that can cancel out sounds it thinks you shouldn't hear. I'd prefer to hear live birds, go to a live concert, and so on.
The book went on to talk about the sounds of natural disasters (mostly how loud they are) and outer space. The author frequently referred to evolution, so many of these were speculative stories about pre-historic events like asteroid impacts or the big bang or how we evolved hearing or songs. As I was expecting more about how different sounds affect humans, I started losing interest when told how horrible I am as a human and when the 'fun facts' just stopped being relatable. It wasn't quite what I expected and just stopped being interesting to me. There is a link to a website that has clips of the various sounds referred to in the book, which would have been interesting to listen to when actually reading the book, but I wasn't reading near an internet-connected device.
I received a free ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
I enjoyed the first few chapters as they were about human hearing: how it works, how sounds affect us, listening to the sounds around us, and changing our sound environment to be more productive. The author then got into fun facts about animals (birds, land animals, and sea animals): the range of sounds that they can hear or make, why they might make sounds like songs, and how human noises are affecting animal behavior. Some of the 'human sounds are to blame' connections do seem likely, like birds singing louder and earlier in cities to be heard over human noise. Other examples left me thinking, "well, that could be caused by day-and-night artificial light, pesticides, EMFs, etc., and not just sound." The author then got into a rant about how horrible human sounds are to animals and we ought to do something about it. Followed by a chapter about the future of sound, wherein the author seemed pleased with the idea of people living mostly isolated at home surrounded by artificial, modified (and high-definition) sound curated by an AI that can cancel out sounds it thinks you shouldn't hear. I'd prefer to hear live birds, go to a live concert, and so on.
The book went on to talk about the sounds of natural disasters (mostly how loud they are) and outer space. The author frequently referred to evolution, so many of these were speculative stories about pre-historic events like asteroid impacts or the big bang or how we evolved hearing or songs. As I was expecting more about how different sounds affect humans, I started losing interest when told how horrible I am as a human and when the 'fun facts' just stopped being relatable. It wasn't quite what I expected and just stopped being interesting to me. There is a link to a website that has clips of the various sounds referred to in the book, which would have been interesting to listen to when actually reading the book, but I wasn't reading near an internet-connected device.
I received a free ebook review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
June 25, 2025
What I thought this book was going to be: an impassioned plea to explain the tagline “how sound shapes our lives, our wellbeing and our planet.” And look. That was here. But what the majority of the book was (or what it felt like for me, anyway)? Here’s a bunch of things that make noises, and here’s a bunch of facts about that thing…
I was here for the former part, and look it’s not like the latter part was uninteresting. But I guess maybe I was hoping for MORE of tying in authors buncha facts in the latter aspect into the more interesting to me former aspect, eg here’s why it all matters. And yes, that was there to a degree. But…. I dunno. I didn’t really feel this one.
Also found it confusing that author would reference some interesting sound and sometimes play a super short snippet of it, but most of the time wouldn’t, rather cite a reference number on his website where you could listen to it. Maybe due to copyright? But I’m yet to visit his website and so I guess I’ll never hear some of these amazing things he references. It’s just extra weird as it feels like it’d have been a perfect little break to his otherwise kinda boring recitation of facts. A chance to revel in the beauty of what he’s talking about, and stop it dragging.
This review feels maybe kinda negative. This was a pretty good book, and I was really here for the former aspect of what he was talking about. It seemed super well researched. But I didn’t really connect with this book in the way I’d maybe hoped, and given these reviews are purely subjective instead of objective, can’t say this was one of the better books I’ve listened to recently.
I was here for the former part, and look it’s not like the latter part was uninteresting. But I guess maybe I was hoping for MORE of tying in authors buncha facts in the latter aspect into the more interesting to me former aspect, eg here’s why it all matters. And yes, that was there to a degree. But…. I dunno. I didn’t really feel this one.
Also found it confusing that author would reference some interesting sound and sometimes play a super short snippet of it, but most of the time wouldn’t, rather cite a reference number on his website where you could listen to it. Maybe due to copyright? But I’m yet to visit his website and so I guess I’ll never hear some of these amazing things he references. It’s just extra weird as it feels like it’d have been a perfect little break to his otherwise kinda boring recitation of facts. A chance to revel in the beauty of what he’s talking about, and stop it dragging.
This review feels maybe kinda negative. This was a pretty good book, and I was really here for the former aspect of what he was talking about. It seemed super well researched. But I didn’t really connect with this book in the way I’d maybe hoped, and given these reviews are purely subjective instead of objective, can’t say this was one of the better books I’ve listened to recently.
January 22, 2026
I bought Sound Affects expecting to learn something interesting about sound, but I did not expect it to affect me on such a personal level. This book goes far beyond science or theory. Julian Treasure explores sound as something deeply connected to our emotions, our health, our relationships, and even our sense of peace. He explains how the sounds around us shape our moods and behaviors, often without us realizing it, and he does so with incredible clarity and compassion.
What makes this book special is the depth. It moves effortlessly between neuroscience, everyday experience, nature, and silence, showing how listening is not just a physical act but a human skill we have slowly forgotten. The chapters on silence, natural soundscapes, and conscious listening stayed with me long after I finished reading. I found myself becoming more aware of tone, rhythm, and even the way people speak, and I noticed how this awareness made my days calmer and more meaningful.
This is not a book you rush through. It invites reflection. It encourages you to slow down, to listen more carefully, and to treat sound as something powerful rather than background noise. By the end, I felt more connected to myself and the world around me. Sound Affects is thoughtful, beautifully written, and quietly transformative. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who wants to live with more awareness, balance, and intention.
What makes this book special is the depth. It moves effortlessly between neuroscience, everyday experience, nature, and silence, showing how listening is not just a physical act but a human skill we have slowly forgotten. The chapters on silence, natural soundscapes, and conscious listening stayed with me long after I finished reading. I found myself becoming more aware of tone, rhythm, and even the way people speak, and I noticed how this awareness made my days calmer and more meaningful.
This is not a book you rush through. It invites reflection. It encourages you to slow down, to listen more carefully, and to treat sound as something powerful rather than background noise. By the end, I felt more connected to myself and the world around me. Sound Affects is thoughtful, beautifully written, and quietly transformative. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who wants to live with more awareness, balance, and intention.
May 29, 2025
This was such a strange little book, lovingly narrated by the author.
Sound is all around us, even in its absence. Treasure takes us on a journey through soundscapes as old as time and as distant as the universe. Sound is physical and social, critical and banal. We take sound for granted.
I really loved the inclusion of actual sounds in the audiobook edition. In fact, I wish there'd been more! I also enjoyed comparisons from modern times to the past, which really brought to bear how subversive technological changes in everyday life have affected not only our experiences with sound but all that sound relates to. One that struck me was how music once had to be experienced live, in a time before recordings, and how this shaped social experiences and made certain musical events truly once-in-a-lifetime moments, given the medium's ephemeral nature.
If I had one negative thing to say, it would be how peripatetic and random this book is. It's really all over the place. But I guess that's topical given how emblematic ubiquity is of most sounds.
Another challenge with the audiobook version is that the references are all in text or online. At least we get the full experience of the soundscape as the author intended, though.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio | Grand Central Publishing for the advance copy of the audiobook.
Sound is all around us, even in its absence. Treasure takes us on a journey through soundscapes as old as time and as distant as the universe. Sound is physical and social, critical and banal. We take sound for granted.
I really loved the inclusion of actual sounds in the audiobook edition. In fact, I wish there'd been more! I also enjoyed comparisons from modern times to the past, which really brought to bear how subversive technological changes in everyday life have affected not only our experiences with sound but all that sound relates to. One that struck me was how music once had to be experienced live, in a time before recordings, and how this shaped social experiences and made certain musical events truly once-in-a-lifetime moments, given the medium's ephemeral nature.
If I had one negative thing to say, it would be how peripatetic and random this book is. It's really all over the place. But I guess that's topical given how emblematic ubiquity is of most sounds.
Another challenge with the audiobook version is that the references are all in text or online. At least we get the full experience of the soundscape as the author intended, though.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Audio | Grand Central Publishing for the advance copy of the audiobook.
May 30, 2025
Sound Affects, written and narrated by Julian Treasure, was an interesting book about how the nuances of noises can impact our lives. It’s a thought-provoking book that makes you want to stop and single out noises around you and think about how they affect you.
This book was well written and the audiobook was great. The narration was very well done and the audiobook included other sounds that correlated with what was being talked about. The author’s voice was perfect for this type of book. He spoke clearly and had a great accent that was easy on the ears and to understand. You can tell that he knows a lot about sound and how to make it appealing. From what was described in the audiobook, I think there are a lot of graphs and pictures that would’ve been interesting to see. I would recommend this audiobook be consumed in tandem with the physical book.
I deducted a star because, although much of the information was intriguing, at times it became too descriptive, which led to boredom. I fluctuated from complete boredom to fascination many times throughout the book.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hachette Audio / Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to read this book. I am writing this review based on my own opinion.
This book was well written and the audiobook was great. The narration was very well done and the audiobook included other sounds that correlated with what was being talked about. The author’s voice was perfect for this type of book. He spoke clearly and had a great accent that was easy on the ears and to understand. You can tell that he knows a lot about sound and how to make it appealing. From what was described in the audiobook, I think there are a lot of graphs and pictures that would’ve been interesting to see. I would recommend this audiobook be consumed in tandem with the physical book.
I deducted a star because, although much of the information was intriguing, at times it became too descriptive, which led to boredom. I fluctuated from complete boredom to fascination many times throughout the book.
Thank you, NetGalley and Hachette Audio / Grand Central Publishing for allowing me to read this book. I am writing this review based on my own opinion.
June 27, 2025
I received an advanced ready copy of the Audiobook version of Sound Affects and was excited to check it out. The Author was also the narrator.
I was excited to get the audiobook because I figured there would be tons of sound examples that would be played as the author talked about how sounds affects people, animals and our planet. Strangely that was not the case. He would speak of sounds and then reference the website to go to, to hear the sound which was very disappointing. There were a few times that a snippet was played but most of the time you are sent to the accompanying website. For me that is a big miss as some of the best musical books I've listened to had all the sounds shared with us to bring you into the book and have the feeling that they provide.
There was clearly a ton of research done for this book and that shows in all that is shared.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
I was excited to get the audiobook because I figured there would be tons of sound examples that would be played as the author talked about how sounds affects people, animals and our planet. Strangely that was not the case. He would speak of sounds and then reference the website to go to, to hear the sound which was very disappointing. There were a few times that a snippet was played but most of the time you are sent to the accompanying website. For me that is a big miss as some of the best musical books I've listened to had all the sounds shared with us to bring you into the book and have the feeling that they provide.
There was clearly a ton of research done for this book and that shows in all that is shared.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.
June 5, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’m not huge on nonfiction books and much prefer ones with powerful impacts on daily life. I was hoping this book would delve a little deeper into impacts on human life (work, relationships, physical body, etc) and I quite enjoyed the portions of the book that did look at these aspects. However a larger portion of the book than I enjoyed focused on strictly facts about sound. It’s really in depth and well researched, but for me personally, I didn’t need quite so many chapters dedicated to talking about, say, the loudest waterfalls or what specific frequency animals communicate at. Fully aware this is a personal preference.
I’m not huge on nonfiction books and much prefer ones with powerful impacts on daily life. I was hoping this book would delve a little deeper into impacts on human life (work, relationships, physical body, etc) and I quite enjoyed the portions of the book that did look at these aspects. However a larger portion of the book than I enjoyed focused on strictly facts about sound. It’s really in depth and well researched, but for me personally, I didn’t need quite so many chapters dedicated to talking about, say, the loudest waterfalls or what specific frequency animals communicate at. Fully aware this is a personal preference.
June 4, 2025
This book explores the often-overlooked power of sound, examining its impact on our lives and well-being. It guides readers to appreciate and consciously manage the soundscape around them.
This easy-to-read book is full of fascinating information. It focuses not just on the science of sound, but also on how society has historically ignored the effects of sound on life forms—and what we can do to make soundscapes more friendly. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This easy-to-read book is full of fascinating information. It focuses not just on the science of sound, but also on how society has historically ignored the effects of sound on life forms—and what we can do to make soundscapes more friendly. I enjoyed the audiobook narration.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
July 29, 2025
This book made me more curious, lengthened my tbr, and will change the way I interact with the world around me. The audiobook version has a nice interactive element with some of the interview clips and sounds referenced dispersed through the book—a great feature unless you’re driving with a full bladder during the waterfall section.
January 4, 2026
Parts of this book were very scientific and a bit dry... Other parts were deeply fascinating and compelling. But the final chapter brought it all together beautifully, with the admonition to intentionally and consciously hear and listen to the sounds all around us.
March 31, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. I found this book to be very informative and loved learning how sound can literally shape everything.
August 14, 2025
Fun read! Definitely checked the “that’s cool” factor for me. I wish there were more “there for what?” discussion included.
November 21, 2025
Very interesting. Time for silence.
November 24, 2025
Although too long and at times too verbose, this book is fascinating and a great reminder to pay attention to where we are, what we do and how it all affects us.
March 14, 2026
Written in a very friendly tone but ultimately banal and not very information dense.
April 14, 2026
Difficult to get through. I was excited and was expecting a thoroughly researched journey through sound: on the human side how we create and manipulate it, physics and what exactly is sound, history of the study of sound, sound in art/architecture, accompanying an expert on how they record sounds in nature, etc. a la Nicola Twilley's Frostbite, but this was akin to an amalgamation of fun facts that read more like blog posts.
I don't mind fun facts but the author would sometimes throw them in with no context or further exploration and move on to the next section. He also stated way too many opinions as facts...where was the editor??
Also took off a star for the constant self-promotion...we get it you did a Ted Talk in 2012, and you do consulting with a lot of big companies.
I don't mind fun facts but the author would sometimes throw them in with no context or further exploration and move on to the next section. He also stated way too many opinions as facts...where was the editor??
Also took off a star for the constant self-promotion...we get it you did a Ted Talk in 2012, and you do consulting with a lot of big companies.
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