Silence is golden? or: The meaning of silence
25.02.2025
We do a lot to drown it out: to fill the silence in rooms with sounds, we keep radios playing softly, let televisions chatter away, even the endless repetition of “the very best hits” serves as a welcome invitation to escape the silence. Why do we do this? Perhaps because we instinctively sense that too little auditory stimulation can affect us just as negatively as too much?
In a world full of noise, we long for moments of silence. The acoustic chaos in open-plan offices is irritating, the relentless honking during rush hour, and the cacophony of voices on the subway. When we finally get home in the evening, we have the chance to find some peace. And what do we do? We turn on the TV, the radio, or a podcast, creating our own form of “quiet noise.” Is this good for us? Not necessarily. Yet we do it instinctively to escape the silence. Partly because, in a noisy world, we have simply forgotten how to endure silence - the absence of auditory stimuli. And then there’s the legacy of evolution, deeply ingrained within us.
Subtext of silence: It signals danger
Even our ancestors knew that the absence of any sound signals danger: a predator sneaking up causes the birds in the forest to fall silent. They don’t want to reveal their location, as doing so would put them at risk of being eaten. Sudden silence instinctively makes us perk up, setting off our internal alarm bells even today. We feel uneasy, listen into the silence, and “hear ghosts,” wanting to know if something is amiss. Prolonged silence feels all the more oppressive. If we are exposed to it for too long, it can cause serious health problems. There are, therefore, very good reasons to surround ourselves with sound.
The quality of sounds matters
If we think of sounds as nourishment for our senses, it becomes clear that mountains of fast food are not the solution. But the opposite is just as harmful: without auditory nourishment, our senses quite literally starve. Beyond quantity, quality is key. A balanced diet is essential, both when it comes to eating and listening. But what constitutes good food for our ears? Instead of overloading ourselves with more artificial sounds, natural sounds help us relax. Simply because our senses can “digest” them more easily. Birdsong is particularly soothing, as are the sounds of water. When we find sounds pleasant, we can’t seem to get enough of them. No one complains about waves at the beach being too loud.
We feel most comfortable outdoors
According to a WHO report, we spend 90% of our lives indoors. Yet deep within us lies a longing for nature. Our ancestors roamed through forests and savannas, rather than sitting for hours in offices or in front of the TV. The pings of countless apps were unknown to them. Even today, we yearn for a life closer to nature. Natural sounds can create a relaxed atmosphere indoors, one that benefits us, a kind of species-appropriate environment, so to speak. Natural sounds, for instance, help us concentrate better, lower blood pressure, and make us feel more connected to nature. And since we spend so much time inside, they can help make that time as pleasant as possible.
How to bring nature home
Even with pleasant sounds, a balanced mix of sound and silence is best. With Relaxound sound boxes, you can create acoustic highlights and distribute soothing sounds throughout your space just the way you like. A cheerful birdsong to greet you at the coffee machine in the morning or the sound of waves bringing a fresh breeze of wanderlust to your bathroom. It’s this precise mix of sound and silence that creates an inspiring environment indoors. The Satelliteboxes make decorating with sound even easier. They can be seamlessly combined and flexibly placed where you want. This way, you can enjoy a healthy acoustic environment tailored to your taste. The best part? The sound boxes only play when you walk by, ensuring there’s always plenty of room for quiet.