Yelling is one of the ways where the person expresses its emotion and feelings. It commonly happened during a heated argument or when a person reaches their peak and lets out all of the anger they have been feeling.
A human yell can surpass 100 dB (decibels). In fact, as of March 2019, the Guinness Book of World Records has measured the loudest human
scream that is 129 dB (Finio, 2019).
People, appliances, and vehicles emit different sound levels that can be heard depending on the environment where it is located or where the sound is emitted.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, normal breathing emits 10 dB, soft whisper measures about 30 dB, and the average human conversation was measured 60 dB, the same as the sound of an air conditioner. These sounds and their sound level are still pleasant to the ear and will not cause any complications even for a long time.
Along with these, different sound levels of objects are also measured that can have adverse effects by being exposed for an extended period of time.
A washing machine and dishwasher emit 70 dB, city traffic while being inside the car is between 80 to 85 dB, these two can make a person feel very annoyed.
On the other hand, a sound level that exceeds 80 dB to 95 dB imposes damage to hearing within more than an hour of exposure. Dangerously, being exposed to a sound level of more than 95 dB can cause hearing loss, pain, and ear injury.
Science of Yelling
A study conducted by Arnal, Flinker, Kleinschmidt, and Poeppel found that the amygdala is a specifically sensitive part of the brain that is sensitive to temporal modulation within the roughness range.
The researchers aim to identify how screams make unique signals and how our brain is processing them. The results acquired by the researchers state that rough sounds target the neural circuits that are involved in processing fear and danger that is an important part of a reaction to danger. (Mackenbach, et al., 2014)
Slow temporal modulation is mainly used during a normal speech or conversation, while during screams, the unused spectro-temporal modulation is being occupied.
They used acoustic analyses, psychophysical experiments, and neuroimaging to isolate features that are related to screaming. Their study figured out that different regions within the temporal modulation where the voice frequency is being processed. Thus, in regular conversations, spectro-temporal characteristics encode specific information within distinct areas of the MPS.
“We next tested the hypothesis that roughness in screams is selectively used to signal danger and should therefore not be exploited to the same degree in other kinds of communication signals. We performed a series of comparisons with other, vocal, and non-vocal, stimuli. We first compared the average magnitude of temporal modulations in the roughness range (30–150 Hz) between sentential vocalizations (normal speaking), musical vocalizations (a cappella singing), and screaming”.
(Arnal, Flinker, Kleinschmidt, & Poeppel, 2015) Human Screams Occupy a Privileged Niche in the Communication Soundscape: Current Biology (cell.com)
Negative Effects of Yelling on Health
Yelling is also known to be a cause of health problems. To produce a sound, our vocal cord and throat are the parts of our body associated with it. Too much pressure or rough sounds emitted by us can cause damage to our vocal cords.
According to Cleveland Clinic, too much yelling can cause injury in the vocal cord, wherein strains can occur that can leave damaged for a long time. In addition, ruptured vocal cors lining, subsequent bleeding, growth of calluses, thickening of the lining of the vocal fold, and cysts can be acquired by yelling. In some cases, complications on vocal cords can still be treated with medications.
Negative Effects of Yelling on Emotional and Mental Well-Being
Meanwhile, letting out frustration through yelling can impose long-term effects on emotional and mental well-being, especially on kids. Yelling makes the children’s behavior worse, in which a parent or guardian will have to yell more to try to correct the behavior that the children are showing.
According to Goldman, two studies published by Wang and Kenny and Mackenbach, which states that yelling at kids increases their negative behavior. It can also have a difference in how a child’s brain develops, especially if there was a history of abuse, based on the study conducted by Tomoda et al. in 2011.
In addition, whenever a parent lets their anger be more forward in some circumstances, they tend to yell to their children, which leads them to feel hurt, scared, or sad. This action can lead to developing depressive symptoms that can lead to worsening behavior that has the possibility to develop into self-destructive action or being drawn into bad habits (Norman, et al., 2021).
Studies about Yelling
Based on the studies performed by professionals, yelling is a way for people to know that there is a danger coming or being at risk of experiencing something that may harm them.
But the studies regarding other biological and chemical implications about why and how we can yell are lacking in scientific studies.
That is why scientists and researchers are encouraging professionals to help to widen the knowledge regarding yelling.
The way we speak or communicate with other people will always be one of the most important ways of expressing ourselves and letting ourselves be heard, especially when we are practicing our freedom of expression.
Yelling is one of these ways. When we need to speak loudly, it is suggested that using devices such as microphones and megaphones with speakers is more efficient and must be practiced.
Because in this way, the vocal cord and our brain are being protected about different complications that can be acquired with too much yelling or speaking out loud.
Regarding disciplinary actions and controlling anger or frustration, it is more suggested to overcome them more peacefully and rightfully instead of damaging some people because of our need to let out our emotions.