<p>I am not aware of any use in using "high audio frequencies" in commercials, but there is a history of making commercials louder (presumably to attract attention). There are laws prohibiting increasing the loudness of commercials  (e.g., <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commercial_Advertisement_Loudness_Mitigation_Act" rel="nofollow">CALM Act</a>). Increasing the loudness, without remotely adjusting the volume on the TV is not a trivial thing and potentially involves careful mixing of the audio signals as well as allowing acceptable levels of distortion.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-09-08T15:08:46.330Z
2014-09-08T15:08:46.330Z
StrongBad
<p>Does anyone know of a peer reviewed article that describes how commercials will often contain high audio frequencies in order to attract the viewer's attention?</p>

<p>Referrals to commercials using any audio based method to command attention would also be welcome.</p>

<p>I believe this will come under the field of psychoacoustics.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-07T23:24:58.337Z
Welcome to the site. I'm wondering whether your question could be refined to focus more on the scientific question. I can see that you're keen to get scientific references, that's fine. Usually on this site, we try to focus on the scientific question and incorporate a request for a reference as a secondary component: e.g., is the question: How effective are high audio frequencies in advertisements in attracting viewer attention?
Jeromy Anglim
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-07T23:28:19.510Z
Thank you.  You can reword the question if you wish.  I welcome any answer that cites solid peer reviewed references.
user1423893
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-07T23:48:19.447Z
Okay. I've tweaked the title to focus on a scientific question; I wasn't entirely sure about which aspect of the topic your question was focused on: i.e. effectiveness of high frequencies? prevalence of use high frequencies as an attention gaining strategy? conditions where it works or doesn't work? etc.
Jeromy Anglim
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-08T00:00:46.903Z
_prevalence of use high frequencies as an attention gaining strategy?_  This is along the right lines of investigation but examples pertaining to commercial broadcasting would be preferred.
user1423893
CC BY-SA 3.0
2012-11-09T14:53:26.890Z
As an anecdote, a friend of mine in Film & Video production once used the [Emergency Alery System](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Alert_System)'s  (turn **down** your speakers) [SAME header](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Same.ogg) in a car commercial. Audiences **despised** it but the executives of the car company loved it, said it was one of their most successful ad campaigns...
Josh
<perception><consumer-psychology><attention><hearing>
How effective are high audio frequencies in commercials in getting audience attention?
user1423893
# How effective are high audio frequencies in commercials in getting audience attention?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2012-11-07)

Does anyone know of a peer reviewed article that describes how commercials will often contain high audio frequencies in order to attract the viewer's attention?

Referrals to commercials using any audio based method to command attention would also be welcome.

I believe this will come under the field of psychoacoustics.

**Tags:** perception, consumer-psychology, attention, hearing

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Welcome to the site. I'm wondering whether your question could be refined to focus more on the scientific question. I can see that you're keen to get scientific references, that's fine. Usually on this site, we try to focus on the scientific question and incorporate a request for a reference as a secondary component: e.g., is the question: How effective are high audio frequencies in advertisements in attracting viewer attention?  
> **username_0**: Thank you.  You can reword the question if you wish.  I welcome any answer that cites solid peer reviewed references.  
> **username_1**: Okay. I've tweaked the title to focus on a scientific question; I wasn't entirely sure about which aspect of the topic your question was focused on: i.e. effectiveness of high frequencies? prevalence of use high frequencies as an attention gaining strategy? conditions where it works or doesn't work? etc.  
> **username_0**: _prevalence of use high frequencies as an attention gaining strategy?_  This is along the right lines of investigation but examples pertaining to commercial broadcasting would be preferred.  
> **username_2**: As an anecdote, a friend of mine in Film & Video production once used the [Emergency Alery System](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emergency_Alert_System)'s  (turn **down** your speakers) [SAME header](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Same.ogg) in a car commercial. Audiences **despised** it but the executives of the car company loved it, said it was one of their most successful ad campaigns...  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2014-09-08. Score: 2

I am not aware of any use in using "high audio frequencies" in commercials, but there is a history of making commercials louder (presumably to attract attention). There are laws prohibiting increasing the loudness of commercials (e.g., [CALM Act](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commercial_Advertisement_Loudness_Mitigation_Act)). Increasing the loudness, without remotely adjusting the volume on the TV is not a trivial thing and potentially involves careful mixing of the audio signals as well as allowing acceptable levels of distortion.


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