‘Sound Affects’ by Julian Treasure

In every moment of our lives, sound shapes us – it influences our emotions, our focus, our stress levels and even our behaviour. This is the central premise of Sound Affects, the new book by Julian Treasure.

Reviewed by Alex Shaida

Treasure is a well-known expert on all things auditory. Though not a professional acoustician, he brings a wealth of experience as an author, international speaker and consultant on conscious listening, impactful speaking and the strategic use of sound in business. With more than 150 million views of his five TED and 11 TEDx talks, Treasure has become a leading voice in this field. He has also taught more than 150,000 students in communication skills and is a frequent guest on global media platforms. His background as a drummer adds another layer of insight into his nuanced understanding of sound. As someone working within the Institute of Acoustics, an organisation committed to serving its 3,000+ members and promoting the importance of acoustics, I was especially curious to explore this book from a broader, more public-facing perspective.

Structure and themes
Treasure organises the book around key categories of sound:
• biophony – the orchestra of the natural world;
• anthropophony – human-made sounds, from cities to gadgets;
• geophony – the sounds of the earth, such as wind and weather;
• cosmophony – the sounds of the cosmos; and
• silence – presented as a vital and powerful ‘sound’ in itself.

While Sound Affects explores all these domains, its central focus is on the human condition. One of the most compelling topics is silence – not merely the absence of noise, but a restorative space that can bring calm, productivity and mental clarity. Interestingly, the book describes how extreme silence, such as that experienced in anechoic chambers, can be disorienting. Still, Treasure argues that reclaiming silence is essential for personal and societal wellbeing

The impact of sound
Treasure presents a compelling case for how sound affects us on four levels:
• physiologically – influencing heart rate and stress;
• psychologically – impacting our mood and emotions;
• cognitively – affecting focus and mental clarity; and
• behaviourally – shaping decisions and social interactions.

A key concern he raises is the growing inequality of access to quiet, natural spaces. If society continues to undervalue silence, Treasure warns, tranquillity could become a luxury reserved for the wealthy.

Conscious listening and sound responsibility
At the heart of the book is a strong advocacy for ‘conscious listening – being more intentional about how we listen to and interact with sound. Treasure encourages readers to:
• reflect on whether sounds in their environment are healthy, helpful, or happy;
• reconnect with natural soundscapes and rediscover silence; and
• take responsibility for the sounds we create and consume. In an era where reading and writing dominate educational curricula, Treasure rightly argues that listening is vastly undervalued. Our increasingly urban lifestyles disconnect us from the soothing sounds of nature, potentially affecting our health and mental wellbeing.

A call for research and awareness
Treasure expresses concern over the lack of mainstream scientific research on sound’s impact on health, even as anecdotal and alternative communities increasingly champion its importance. He highlights vocal learning – a rare trait in nature and a significant factor in human evolution – as something we may undermine by tolerating ever-increasing levels of noise pollution.

Final thoughts
There’s much more in Sound Affects than can be captured in a single- page review. For anyone curious about how sound influences our lives, Julian Treasure offers a wealth of accessible and thought- provoking insights. He reminds us that improving our listening skills and seeking healthier soundscapes can lead to greater peace, creativity and happiness. As someone who enjoys walking along windswept beaches, absorbing the hush of caves and writing in quiet spaces, I found this book to be both illuminating and deeply affirming. It’s an excellent resource for anyone looking to broaden public understanding of acoustics – both within and beyond the professional community.