In our modern world we constantly avoid obvious physical threats, we have a clear and focused fear of things that can cause us physical harm. This has been an integral part of our human nature for centuries, and due to the obvious harmful effects of these physical threats, we remain focused on this realm of thought. But what about the things that don't necessarily physically threaten our lives but perhaps our livelihood without even realizing it? Things that can directly influence or alter our mental state and emotional health, what have we done to study or analyze these potential threats? When I use the word threats I don't necessarily mean harmful, life-altering complications, but a general reaction or "cause and effect" response to such events. On the other end of that discussion, how do we use this issue that can pose potential threats to our advantage. It is possible for us to understand the connections between something physically intangible and how it can heal or benefit us. In summary, how complicated is it to study or analyze the consequences and benefits of something as intangible as sound and noise. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Sound and noise are part of our daily lives, regardless of what an individual may try to do to evade them. As a result of this inability to analyze and control this physically immaterial thing, much has not been studied. But, as we have learned over the course of this semester, sound and noise directly alter and influence many aspects of our daily lives, whether intentionally or unintentionally. We took a look at city soundscapes, the anxiety-inducing idea of ​​silence, and even the real effects of noise pollution on individuals. These are all direct results or reactions to sound and noise. But why is it important for us to discuss all this? In my article, as indicated in the title, I intend to analyze some of the potentially negative consequences, as well as some benefits associated with sound and noise. I will do so by first discussing this fairly new area of ​​research and its work. Additionally, I will present some of the analytics we have learned throughout this course, as well as specific case studies that help highlight the importance of this academic discipline. Sound and noise are not at the forefront of the conversation when talking about the actual effects of a person's mood or state. Specifically, music as a field of research has been studied and analyzed much more thoroughly and for much longer. Music has always been at the center of the topic of any kind of sound research, but at that time there were still many things that were not being addressed. Yes, there is a common belief that music has an extremely compelling impact on many aspects of culture, the economy, and even specific individuals, but what about the sounds and noises that we are bombarded with without any real consent or choice? This is where the study of sound or “acoustic ecology” comes into play. Prior to the development of this field of study introduced by "...researcher R. Murray Schafer at Simon Fraser University in the early 1970s." (Droumeva, 2018), no research has been conducted to connect or study the relationship between sound and noise with an individual or society as a whole. As Kendall Wrightson describes in her journal article, “An introduction to acoustic ecology. Soundscape: The Journal of Acoustic Ecology", Wrightson outlines the basic philosophy on which acoustic ecology is based: "Your awareness of sound, particularly your level of awareness of the environmentacoustic at any given time, is a central question for the interdisciplinary of Acoustic Ecology (also known as ecoacoustics).” (Wrightson, 2000, p.10) This specific aspect of mindfulness, as I have learned throughout this course, is a very integral aspect of this area of ​​study. It is attempting to bring conscious awareness to not just the sounds or noises themselves, but, more importantly, how these affect us, consciously or unconsciously. As mentioned above, musical research is very different from “acoustic ecology” because it is a very conscious choice or the listener has a distinct level of awareness towards the sounds and rhythms they are hearing. It is this level of awareness and consciousness that is also displayed in what Schafer decided to study. As explained by Dr. Milena Droumeva, Schafer attempted to examine many aspects of sound to bring to light his work for acoustic ecology and these include; Research areas included auditory perception, listening and sound production, community soundscapes, physics of sound and acoustics, noise pollution, sound in media, psychology of sound, sound walks , sound and spirituality and urban soundscape design. (Droumeva, 2018) This is an incredibly large list to analyze considering these are ever-changing and never stagnant. As the study and academic discipline of “Acoustic Ecology” expands, we must apply this work to study our functions as a society in relation to sound and noise. Before starting this course I actually wasn't sure what a course called “Sound Studies 1: Listening, Culture and Society” would entail. I had never heard of this exact focus of academia and even my loved ones around me were confused about what exactly this course could teach me. But as the quarter comes to an end, several aspects and terms that I have learned during this course continue to emerge in my daily life. For this reason and more, Schafer's work in acoustic ecology is a critical aspect in understanding the sounds or noise in our worlds and how we function or respond to them. As I learned and developed my understanding of acoustic ecology and the myriad ways in which sound directly alters our realities, it was the negative aspects that struck me most. Some of the main questions this study brings to light, such as What I was able to connect in my personal life to this course material or area of ​​study in general was actually a book I had read a few years ago, “Lullaby” of all time infamous American author Chuck Palahniuk. I was only about halfway through this lesson before I made this connection to this specific fiction-based novel. Ultimately, realize the negative consequences that sound and noise can have on individuals. But that being said, this book influenced me greatly the moment I read it. The book is based on the basic concept of "What if words or sounds could kill?". The basic premise of the novel is that an ancient script of a deadly "lullaby" ends up in the hands of a simple, unassuming man. The man realizes immediately after discovering this series of seemingly meaningless words that anyone who hears it will die. I realize how ridiculous the premise may seem, but after finishing the novel, I invited many of my friends to read this book because I had never thought of sound or noise as such a harmful consequence before. While I understand Palahniuk's deeper philosophy of "if words could kill", the basic concept remains: what ifsounds could kill? Even thinking about the sounds you are exposed to, which are commonly an unconscious choice and that you are exposed to without direct consent, can and do have negative effects on individuals. For example, probably the most famous term derived from "Acoustic Ecology", noise pollution is exactly that. Droumeva defines “noise pollution” as… “A recent term used to suggest the destructive effects of excessive sound, usually based on loudness and irritation properties.” (Droumeva, 2018) Noise pollution has quite strong effects that can harm people psychologically. These effects include: hearing loss, stress, fatigue and sleep deprivation. (Droumeva, 2018) These can cause serious harm to individuals but are at the same time a seemingly uncontrollable fact of life, as Truax describes this in his book. “For people living in a technological society, noise becomes a “fact of life”, something you tolerate (i.e. desensitize yourself to) or complain about in the hope of getting some small relief.” (Truax, 2000, p.93) Technological development and simply progress as a society are the cause of noise pollution and therefore necessary, as well as unmanageable. For me and I feel like many share similar realizations, it is only when you are away from the noise pollution we are accustomed to that you realize the serenity of a peaceful soundscape. As mentioned in numerous writings by my colleagues for our online tutorials, it's something we only recognize once immersed directly in a completely different soundscape. From my personal experience of going so deep into the Squamish forest that we no longer have cell service, only then was I able to realize this "Hi-Fi" environment that I have never been able to experience in the city. This concept of awareness is included in the module covering the psychological effects associated with noise pollution. Droumeva describes: "If it is not worse than average, there is nothing wrong with a rationalization of the high average level of noise to which the general population has become highly desensitized." .” (Droumeva, 2018) This inability to fight or relieve oneself from the seemingly inevitable “noise pollution” and its psychological effects made me question something. It would have an effect on your conscious mind versus your subconscious mind, how available of your conscious mind could be when your subconscious mind is no longer occupied unconsciously by these effects of sound and noise. Since this noise continually causes distress and anxiety unconsciously, what if we could relieve ourselves of all this and what could be done with that unconscious part of our mind that is being altered or influenced? As a case study supporting the extraordinary benefits of this academic discipline, I would like to introduce the term ASMR. ASMR, also known as autonomic sensory meridian response, is a relatively new phenomenon entering mainstream culture and even more recent when it comes to medical research. Many connections have already been made by studying ASMR in the context of "acoustic ecology". As mentioned by Diego Garro in his article, “Sensory Response of Autonomous Meridians – From Internet Subculture to Audiovisual Therapy,” he argues that ASMR has done more in the advancement of acoustic ecology than any previous project. (Garro, 2017) “Acoustic ecology” can be the catalyst for discovering and understanding this overwhelming sensation that is ASMR. People who have experienced ASMR have also provided information about its amazing benefits and positive effects as they have stated that it has them.