In order to capture human attention, trigger emotions, or influence decision-making, marketers use sound in various forms to create urgency, excitement, or addiction. You might have noticed how the notification pings or the smartphone’s vibration often create curiosity to see what happened.

The psychology behind this is that high-frequency sounds activate the brain’s alert system which makes it hard to ignore. They are related to neuroscience, behavioral conditioning, and evolutionary instincts. This is why they are commonly used in marketing, gaming, social media, and even music production to increase engagement.

In this blog, we are going to look at the science behind addictive sounds and why high pitches go viral.

When Sounds Create A Rush In Crash Gambling

Sounds are used in a variety of ways in gaming to increase engagement and create a dramatic feel. For example, crash gambling is an online betting game that depends on anticipation and high-risk decision-making. It displays a rising multiplier where players place bets and attempt to cash out before they crash at a random moment.

The main thing that makes crash gambling addictive is its use of sound. It starts with a low, steady tone that gradually rises in pitch as the multiplier increases. This rising sound creates a sense of urgency and excitement that makes players feel like they are on the route to winning big rewards.

Let’s break down the psychology with sounds in crash gambling

As the multiplier increases, the sound increases in frequency, keeping players on edge and creating a sense of excitement. The sudden silence at the “Crash” moment makes losses more dramatic or wins more rewarding. These are similar to the casino’s slot machine dings and chimes that keep players engaged and coming back.

This sound design is a strategy used to manipulate human psychological responses to high-pitched stimuli. Just like how movies use rising music to build tension and envelop audiences in the story, the sounds used in combination with the rising multiplier in crash gambling make the experience more interactive.

Why High-Pitched Sounds Go Viral On Social Media

Certain sounds or remixes become popular on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts because of their quick flow. The one thing in common they have is the high-pitched and fast-paced flow that makes them addicting to listen to.

The anatomy of our ears makes them naturally attracted to higher frequencies than lower-pitched sounds. The credit mainly goes to evolution since our ancestors had to respond fast to high-pitched sounds. Think about how we get attentive to a baby’s cry or a dog’s wail. These high noises also stand out in a crowded setting that forces the brain to process them faster. Once the sound gains traction, the user repeatedly hears it in different videos which makes them addictive.

The Neuroscience Behind Sound-Induced Attention

There is also a lot of neuroscience involved in sound and hearing. Certain sounds trigger emotions, actions, and memories. As we discussed above, high-pitched sounds activate the brain’s alert system which makes it more effective in capturing attention. There are studies that show how high-frequency sounds stimulate the auditory cortex and the amygdala which is associated with emotional processing and decision-making.

Smartphone notifications, casino sounds, or even app alerts rely on high-frequency tones that trigger dopamine release for pleasure and reward. When these are repeated, it conditions the brains to expect a reward that makes them highly habit-forming.

Moreover, the cochlea in our inner ear plays an important role in processing different sound frequencies such as stimulating hair cells located at the base that triggers faster neural response.

This explains why high-pitched sounds create excitement and anticipation while low-pitched sounds in ASMR create relaxation.

The Role of High Frequencies In Music And Marketing

High-pitched sounds are used by music producers and marketers to make content more catchy and engaging. The fast-tempo and high-pitched sounds are common in viral songs since they stimulate energy and capture people’s attention faster.

Artists have taken notice of this and released faster versions of their own songs that are also pitched up. One example is SZA who releases sped-up and higher-pitched versions of her songs on Spotify.

Even brands use this same technique. Many retail stores often play high-frequency music that can silently influence shopping behavior, such as making people move faster in the store. The famous McDonald’s “ba da ba ba ba” jingle is a great example of sound created in a higher frequency range to make it more memorable and catchy.

The Future Of Sound Design In Digital Engagement

We can see high-pitched sounds used in gaming, advertising, and social media. The reason it’s such an effective tactic for grabbing people’s attention faster comes down to how our brains are evolutionarily wired to pay attention to high-pitched sounds. This is closely associated with sound engineering as it continues to evolve to maximize impact and keep us hooked in this digital age.