Here’s What People Missed Most During The Lockdowns

The seemingly never-ending COVID-19 lockdowns forced us to remain indoors for far longer than we had hoped. In a new research report, Jabra examined the sounds people across the globe missed the most while the COVID-19 lockdown was taking place. Social sounds were mostly missed by respondents. Here are the top five sounds people missed:

Live music at concert – 65%
Splashing and laughter around a swimming pool – 60%
Cutlery and dinner noises at a restaurant – 58%
Theatre applause – 56%
Bar/pub noises – 53%

According to the survey, noises associated with working out did not rank highly on people’s lists of sounds they did not miss during the pandemic, indicating that it has been a welcome change. According to participants, only 31 percent regretted their lack of access to a gym, with those in the United Kingdom most averse, missing only 20 percent of gym sounds.

Apparently, Europe’s musical heritage affects preferences; music from a concert is skipped by more than three quarters in Italy (77 percent), closely followed by 73 percent in Spain and 68 percent in Germany. The research revealed that music has been the sound most missed across the world, except in the United States. A swimming pool filled with splashing and laughter is at the top of Americans’ list (74 percent).

It’s all about the little things

It has been a challenging year, but most people have noticed a greater appreciation for the little things in life, and this is reflected in some of the sounds people have been missing. Sound of the beach and the sea ranked highly among respondents, as was the sound of a night out and the cheering of fans at a sporting event.

Sound sources that had previously been unnoticed now appear to be yearned for, including the sound of children playing in schoolyards, the sound of traffic and the sound of busy streets. The research has also revealed the lack of social interaction, with respondents missing the voice of their family and friends, the tune of “Happy Birthday,” or the simple request to “give me a hug.”

As a result of the pandemic, our lives changed dramatically. More than one year after, people have reflected on how their lives are now,” says Claus Fonnesbech, Senior Director at Jabra. People’s everyday lives are greatly influenced by sound, and this research shows that sounds which might have been ignored or thought to be irrelevant before are now actively sought out.”

The pandemic will not be lost to music

Nearly half of respondents (49 percent) said they have been listening to music more since the outbreak started. According to the survey, American’s have been enjoying music more than ever, with 59 percent saying they’ve become more devoted to their favorite artists. The results were followed by those of Italians (58%) and Spanish (58%) as well.

Being accustomed to the quietness

As much as people miss the usual sounds of everyday life before the pandemic, 33 percent said they prefer quiet places to visit once it is over, as compared to 24 percent who prefer noisy places. The majority of participants who choose the quiet reported loving it, and more than half (55 percent) getting used to it.

Women (76 percent) and men (70 percent) are more likely to wish to return to the ‘normal’ hustle and bustle, with 73 percent of participants saying this is the reason they still prefer noisy places. The majority of those aged 55 and over wish to return to normal life (80 percent).