David Saunders
It turns out we’re not just a nation of tea drinkers—we’re a nation driven to the brink by stressful everyday noises. New research shows almost nine in ten Brits say certain sounds send their stress levels soaring, and it’s happening with alarming frequency.
In fact, the average heart rate spikes due to noise happens around eight times a week. Nearly half of us admit that modern life just feels too loud, too often, and frankly, it’s getting harder to cope.
Leading the charge of national irritations is the relentless racket of hammering and banging—cited as the top offender by those surveyed, tied with the shrill yap of a small dog.
Close behind is next-door drilling, followed by the sound of noisy chewing, a snoring partner, revving engines, and the kind of tea-slurping that could start a diplomatic incident. Add to that car horns, high-pitched kids’ toys, and you’ve got a daily assault course for the ears.
The survey, commissioned by Hive, also found that building and renovation season is compounding the chaos. The screech of an angle grinder, roadworks right outside your window, dripping taps and squeaky hinges are all pushing stress levels to new heights.
Then there’s the mobile menace: one in three respondents said loud music or videos on phones in public makes their blood boil, while speakerphone conversations—conducted as if the train carriage were a private lounge—aren’t far behind.
With all that din, it’s no wonder so many are searching for peace. Seven in ten say they’d be willing to listen to soothing ambient sounds, like green or pink noise, to unwind after a long day.
“Everyday sounds do more than just annoy us,” said Professor Jamie Ward from the University of Sussex’s School of Psychology. “They can elevate stress levels, interrupt focus, and even interfere with sleep. In some cases, they can also strain relationships.”
He continued: “Different types of sounds may annoy us in different ways, and some people have greater sound sensitivity than others. Sounds also have the power to stir positive emotions.
Research shows we are biologically inclined to find natural sounds calming, while slowly building crescendos can trigger an intense positive sensation known as ‘the chills’. With the right balance of tempo and tone, sound can be a powerful tool for wellbeing.”
That’s where Hive’s new initiative strikes a different note—literally. While most people assume eco-tech is noisy (a view shared by over four in five respondents), Hive is flipping that perception with Green Noise, a mindfulness track designed to soothe, not startle.
The calming audio features the soft hum of a heat pump, the gentle whir of an electric vehicle, and the barely-there click of a smart thermostat—reimagining sustainable technology as a source of calm rather than clatter.
| Noise | % Annoyed UK-wide |
|---|---|
| Hammering or banging from neighbours | 46% |
| The constant yap of a small dog | 46% |
| The sound of drilling coming from another property | 45% |
| Someone chewing loudly | 42% |
| A fly buzzing around the room | 38% |
| A car alarm going off in the middle of the night | 37% |
| Someone playing music/videos out loud on their phones | 31% |
| Your partner snoring | 30% |
| The screech of an angle grinder | 29% |
| Someone talking on a phone in public on speakerphone | 26% |
| People shouting in the street | 23% |
| A knife or fork scraping a plate | 22% |
| A neighbour playing music loudly | 22% |
| Roadworks outside your house | 22% |
| Someone slamming a door | 21% |
| Someone breathing loudly | 19% |
| Motorbikes or cars revving their engines | 19% |
| A dripping tap | 19% |
| Someone with a cold constantly sniffing | 19% |
| A person slurping their tea/coffee | 19% |
| A squeaky hinge on a door | 18% |
| The slurping sound from a straw when someone gets to the end of their drink | 18% |
| Car horns | 17% |
| An annoying laugh | 17% |
| Someone sneezing in an exaggerated way | 17% |
“Whether it’s the neighbour’s DIY, a barking dog or the constant hum of modern life, everyday noise is clearly driving many of us to distraction,” said Susan Wells, Director of EV and Solar at Hive. “That’s why we created our Green Noise track—a calming soundscape that blends ambient sounds with the gentle, soothing rhythms inspired by Hive’s eco-tech.
“With many people assuming eco-tech is noisy or disruptive, we wanted to create a track that challenges that misconception and encourages more people to consider making the switch. As well as being quiet, Hive eco-tech offers you greater control over your home energy, helping you to lower bills and carbon emissions. Smarter, greener living.”
And while stressful everyday noises are grinding us down, there’s still hope on the airwaves. Asked what sounds helped them relax, Brits named birdsong, rain on a tent, waves lapping on the shore, and waterfalls among the most calming. Rain tapping against windows, the wind rustling through trees, a trickling stream and gentle ambient hums were also firm favourites.
So, if your nerves are fraying and your patience is wearing thin, it might be time to turn down the volume on modern life—and tune into something a little gentler. Green Noise isn’t just a track—it’s a quiet rebellion against the chaos.
