Why Do We Like Listening to Loud Music?

Are you someone who loves loud music? Have you ever stopped to think about why you prefer your music loud? 

It’s something I thought of recently, thinking back to the pre COVID days in the gym or in a restaurant where the music was blaring. Music can really motivate you to push yourself when it comes to exercise or distract you from your own thoughts.

I was curious to see if there was a reason behind our addiction to noise.

The CAALM Model

Throughout my research into this topic, I came across this study. Researchers behind the study interviewed regular clubbers and night club staff. This confirmed a theory they were developing - CAALM (Conditioning, Adaptation, Acculturation to Loud Music).

What exactly is CAALM? 

‘Conditioning’ relates to the repeated pairing of having fun and loud music, so that loud music becomes associated with pleasure. 

‘Adaption’ is preconscious and automatic. For example, when we enter a loud environment we can initially feel startled by the sound. Gradually it passes as our ears adapt and we become tolerant to the sound. Dr Welch: “We think probably what’s going on is the staff’s ears are adapting so they’re turning the volume up, and this continues through the night.”

‘Acculturation’ relates to our expectation of loud music at parties, clubs and similar events. People regard it as normal even though not everyone wants or likes it.

CAALM also highlights four key themes of loud music that can make it feel good. 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29026266/#&gid=article-figures&pid=figure-1-uid-0

Arousal

Arousal is the state of being focused on a certain stimulus. Emotions are intensified and the body and senses are active and alert. It reflects activity in basic parts of the nervous system and is associated with reactions to loud sounds. This is due to increased alertness, brainstem mechanisms and associated sympathetic activity.

As stated in the CAALM Model, those who have been conditioned to loud sound would also experience these reactions due to conditioning. Three main sub themes were consistent with this: motivation, enhancing emotions and providing direct physical sensations.

On a physiological level music enhances our emotions. Loud sounds were associated with a positive emotional state. Words that participants used to describe how loud sounds made them feel were: ‘happier’, ‘upbeat’, ‘positive’ and ‘alive’. 

Loud sounds that were associated with good memories or that had meaning to a person were believed to make others feel good.

Arousal can motivate people to move or act. Respondents reported that loud music helped them get going, in particular for dance or physical exercise. Sometimes the ability to encourage people to move was linked to adrenaline.

In terms of physical sensations, a theme that emerged from the interviews was that the physical feeling of loud sounds through the body was enjoyable.

Facilitates Socialising

Loud music would have an impact on a social level, according to the CAALM Model. It provides context for social interactions with a group of people and allows them to interact positively with strangers. 

The interviews showed that the ability of loud sounds to positively influence social experiences had four sub themes: group cohesion, removing inhibitions, enabling intimacy and improving the social atmosphere.

A popular association of social activity in New Zealand showed that loud music was associated with drinking alcohol. It was felt that loud music encouraged drinking as part of social interactions with friends. This suggests that loud music would produce a state of social cohesion similar to the effects of social drinking.

‘Acculturation’ within the CAALM Model is consistent with the concept that the role of loud music is a component of a culture. Those who like loud music perceive it to be an important part of an experience on a level consistent with a cultural norm. It was associated with a sense of belonging through the sharing of experience. 

The music was believed to reduce social inhibitions which would be consistent with the link between loud music and social drinking described above. Respondents felt that social interaction was facilitated by removing people’s social inhibitions. 

In another theme that is related, loud music was seen to facilitate intimate social interactions. In particular, in nightclubs as loud sounds made group conversations more difficult. 

Perceived Environment

Another reason loud sounds were liked was because they provided an escape for people by masking certain parts of their thoughts or the world that were unpleasant. Loud sounds had an ability to distract by simultaneously ‘drawing people in’ as well as blocking out other sounds. 

A form of ‘escapism’ was linked to loud sounds, in particular music. It allowed people to distract themselves from their feelings and thoughts. In regards to the CAALM Model, this theme shows a direct effect of loud sound making it harder to think. This can be seen as beneficial when negative thoughts are intruding on a person’s life. 

Another benefit of loud music was associated with blocking out other unwanted sounds in the environment. It gave people a sense of control of their noise environment. 

Emphasises Identity

Liking loud sounds was felt to emphasise a masculine identity and the image of ‘being cool’. While participants didn’t apply this to themselves, they felt that other people may like loud sounds for this reason. When questioning people about sensitive beliefs, a question of this type might allow one to express opinions that they wouldn’t express if they were asked directly about their own feelings. 

Respondents thought that certain people might like loud sounds because they linked them with masculinity. Specifically, references to loud engine noises and car enthusiasts were made. A ‘cool’ image was also believed to be associated with loud sounds. 

Summary 

On a physiological level, loud sounds excite people. On a social level, loud music can work to isolate people intimately and to draw people together in a group. In a perceived environment, loud sounds can protect a person from unwelcome intrusion by outside noise and from their own negative thoughts. A stronger identity can be felt, particularly of toughness and power. These themes together would make an environment filled with loud sounds appealing in many different ways. 

Promoting Healthy Hearing

Like everything else in life, loud sounds should be listened to in moderation. Take care of those ears because too much of a good thing can damage your hearing. Using this data a plan could be created to promote healthy listening habits. According to the CAALM Model, a person’s decisions about health are based on levels of influence.

Loud sound is welcomed by many people in our society despite knowing the impact on hearing. Awareness within nightclubs and promotion of hearing protection at gigs could be looked at to make caring about your hearing health the norm. Noise limits could be slowly to enable safe listening. 

We all love loud music, but here at Lios we also love keeping our ears safe. We’d love to hear your experiences with loud music and the reasons why you love it. You can leave us a comment on our Twitter, Facebook or by emailing us info@lios-group.com.