Do genetics and expectations affect our audio preferences?

[cmarin]

I ran across a NYTimes article (link is attached below) that explained how individuals can differ in their ability to perceive the intensity and preference for smells. And how those differences are related to small genetic differences between individuals.

The article also pointed out that other factors including degree of attention, past associations and expectations also play a role in how different individuals perceive the intensity and preference for different smells. I would imagine that age also affects it as well.

Does anyone know if there have been similar studies to investigate how different individuals perceive the intensity and preference for different audio signals and the factors that affect those differences?

Do you think that the results outlined in the article, where differences between how individuals perceive the intensity and preference for smells are affected by genetics and other factors, also applies to the perception of audio signals?

It certainly does seem that each of us does hear differently, and that each of us does hear differently at different times.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/03/science/smell-odors-people-scientists.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share



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[BendingWave]

I ran across a NYTimes article (link is attached below) that explained how individuals can differ in their ability to perceive the intensity and preference for smells. And how those differences are related to small genetic differences between individuals.

The article also pointed out that other factors including degree of attention, past associations and expectations also play a role in how different individuals perceive the intensity and preference for different smells. I would imagine that age also affects it as well.

Does anyone know if there have been similar studies to investigate how different individuals perceive the intensity and preference for different audio signals and the factors that affect those differences?

Do you think that the results outlined in the article, where differences between how individuals perceive the intensity and preference for smells are affected by genetics and other factors, also applies to the perception of audio signals?

It certainly does seem that each of us does hear differently, and that each of us does hear differently at different times.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/03/science/smell-odors-people-scientists.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share



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I personally do not believe we hear differently ( under normal circumstances however I am 100 percent sure that we listen differently. I believe that all senses can be amplified, trained, educated and improved. I know smell is one of them as the training for a sommelier involves many things and smell and taste are among them and its very hard thing to master,
I know from my listening experience and sessions that people just need to be taught and they can improve their listening skills. I also know from real life that people can turn off their hearing easily as well.
Listening is hearing PLUS focus, PLus attention, plus interested and plus passion. If none of these are present I am sure that your hearing is not at its best.

 

[mep]

Genes definitely affect your hearing. That's why some people are born deaf. If you want all the gory details, go to Grok and type in "Do genes affect hearing?"

 

[bfreidah]

I've always been able to hear faint sounds in the distance that others around me could not. Coincidently? I also have a heightened sense of smell, superior distance vision plus artistic and musical abilities. As to genetics; neither parents nor siblings share those traits though but had higher IQs instead.

 

[Bones13]

How can they not

 

[Mr Peabody]

I'm not sure if we hear different or just have different preferences, perceptions, how we want or think the music should sound.

I agree with Elliot that we need to be taught or learn what to listen for. In my own experience I didn't appreciate high end when I first visited a high end store. Thinking like many who first visit an audio show "my system sounds as good if not better". I do remember working in an audio store we sold consumer type audio, I wondered into the service shop where a McIntosh amp was playing, just through cheap Kenwood speakers, I knew then music can sound better than I heard it before. That may seem contradictory but it was a learning curve that took time and exposure. I basically taught myself how t listen by auditioning and buying gear, learning what I liked and hearing the differences. That was probably the long and expensive way to go but I actually wouldn't change anything except for a couple mistakes, LOL You have to learn although you think your system may have more bass it's lacking detail or possibly visceral impact, you have to understand imaging and soundstage when you hear it, just an example.

I also agree there has to be the passion and interest. I go to audio shows and just love hearing and learning about different gear. Not many are like me and certainly not others in my family. Some like music but don't really care how it sounds. My granddaughter may be an exception, I set her up with a system, time will tell.

I think that's why I get so worked up over the anti-audiophile rhetoric and ASR BS, not only is much of it misleading but it can stifle a person's pursuit or curiosity if allowed.

Just as everyone may not like chocolate we aren't going to like the same sounding gear.