New Online Trend Has People Scratching Their…Microphones
It’s called ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, and it’s blowing up the internet as the hottest new social media trend. But what is it? It’s people with overly-sensitive microphones,…
SYDNEY, NSW – AUGUST 17: A man listens to an iPod MP3 player through earphones August 17, 2005 in Sydney, Australia. Research conducted by the National Acoustic Laboratories, to be released by the Australian Federal Government today, has found that up to a 25% of people who use iPods or other portable music devices will suffer from hearing problems as a result of listening to their players at “excessive and damaging” levels. (Photo Illustration by Ian Waldie/Getty Images)
Ian Waldie / StaffIt's called ASMR, or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, and it's blowing up the internet as the hottest new social media trend. But what is it?
It's people with overly-sensitive microphones, recording a variety of sounds that trigger a soothing response in the listener. Sounds include eating, whispering, scratching and crinkling paper. This phenomenon is being said to help with everything from insomnia and anxiety, to drug addiction.
Some theories suggest the soothing effects of these sounds originated in the womb, where babies have a highly-amplified exposure to everyday noises.
Hard to explain, but easy to understand if you watch the video.
