The Sound of Attraction: What’s in a Voice
Have you ever met a drop dead gorgeous person only to have all the attraction fade the minute they open their mouth? When it comes to dating, chemistry, and love, that getting-to-know you chat and flirtatious sweet nothings have impact far beyond that words being said. In fact, several studies have shown that the qualities of our voices transmit important details about attraction, health, and fertility to potential partners.
I actually knew my husband Marc was “the one” when I first heard his warm and friendly voice on the phone before meeting him in person. (We first connected on the Internet.) Hearing his voice took me intuitively to the friendliest inner sense of awareness; it was like coming home to a place I’d always wanted to go but hadn’t been to yet within myself. This inner-knowing came simply from hearing him for the first time. So, I was especially fascinated by some of these recent findings on the correlation between voice and attraction.
Studies show that listeners are able to match a voice with the correct speaker’s photograph over 75 percent of the time. And those people with symmetrical traits (a sign of genetic fitness) were rated as having more attractive voices. And, it’s no myth that good-looking men often have deep voices. A study conducted at Northumbria University in the UK recorded men speaking and had men and women rate their voices based on attractiveness, dominance, confidence, and sexiness. The listeners then looked at pictures of the men and rated them. The men with deep voices were rated higher than those with high voices. And the deep voices also corresponded to more attractive faces.
Just as women smell more attractive during ovulation (which I talked about in my last blog), it also turns out their voices are rated as more attractive when they’re most fertile! A 2008 study recorded women’s voices at four different times during their menstrual period. The women’s voices were rated as most attractive during ovulation and least attractive during menstruation. For women, voice pitch depends a lot on estrogen, which is the female hormone produced by the ovaries. So, high levels of estrogen result in higher pitched voices.
And, what about accents, speed, and inflection? Studies show that we judge fast talkers as more educated and those with varied inflection as more interesting. Pitch correlates only loosely with height, but is closely tied to hormone levels—meaning it’s a good indicator of fertility or dominance, as well as health and attractiveness.
Beyond all the science, it’s crucial that you use your intuition when it comes to dating and love. Close your eyes and listen to your partner. How does their voice make you feel? Your intuition will speak to you with in the first 30 seconds. For example, you may not like their nervous laugh, but still feel good when you hear them. Or, they may be incredibly good-looking, but their voice just doesn’t resonate with you.
Since we’re talking about voice, I’d also like to encourage you to think about sound in general and how it impacts your well-being and thus your attractiveness. What sounds make you feel GREAT about yourself? It might be sounds from nature, your favorite music, or even day-to-day sounds like cooking or kids playing. Be sure to take some time each day to enjoy sounds that make you feel amazing. And I’d love to read your comments on voice and your favorite feel-good sounds!
Love,
Colette
PS: The song you just listened to is Breath of You from my EMI cd Magdalene’s Garden. I think it represents the feeling you get when you meet the right person and what their voice does to you. Follow the links to our store to find the song or CD.
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Great article, and beautiful song!!! I totally agree with voices – they are so SO so important. I met a man last year and the moment I heard his voice, I felt what you described…it was like a big YES in my bones. We had /still have an incredibly deep connection, but the relationship never quite happened, I don’t know if I’ll ever figure it out. My personal experience with this (because i was so sure about it when i first heard his voice) ) leaves me with the impression that while voices can be so familiar and feel so good, but maybe it’s only a past life, it’s not necessarily going to be something in this life together. Has anyone else had this experience too?
Janice, I have totally had that same experience! And I, too, decided it was a past-life possibility not meant for this life time. I still enjoy him as a friend, though. And my, what a voice!
We have something in common. Well, yep. I agree with you about the voice thing. When I hear the voice of the one I love again, I think I will collapse! He has it and he said the same thing about me–he LOVES the sound of my voice!
Gosh!!! That is soooo me !!
It has always been something special with me and the Voices – as long as I can think back, they had a big impact on me. In all kind of areas like Music, Doctors, School and of course MEN/my MEN !!
I fall for these deep-smokey voices
For example: Barry White , James Morrison , Ray Lamontagne ……
Every time I hear a song of these Artist I completely space out.
Sounds in general are a big deal for me somehow.
So,love the article and thanks
Big Hugs
Sandra
You’ve just blogged about my two favorite things….Scents and sounds!!!
I have always been highly attune to others scents and voices. It’s fasinating to me how both of these can truly affect your attraction level to a person. I absolutly LOVE deep, sexy voices in men!! These two things have got to resound with my internal meter or I’m just not that interested. Also you can close your eyes and listen and smell…..sometimes peoples looks are not the whole picture. I think maybe alot of us have forgotten to take in “all” the sences when we meet others….try it?!?! When you meet someone new try to close your eyes for a few brief moments, what does the way they smell and sound say to you? It’s kind of fun….
Smells and sounds are very important to me in my home and other areas of my life also…these things will affect my mood more then anything else!
Thanks Colette for giving us new ways to connect with others!!
Blessed Be, Vikki
Am enjoying these “love” articles and also, I love your Magdalene’s Garden cd……this song especially!! Thanks Colette for sharing all of your knowledge with us!!
Great article and song. Voices do have an impact. I signed up for teleseminars and had to hang up because the person’s “voice” was like nails on a chalk board to me. I listened for as long as I could, but in the end I had to hang up. The same goes for a man’s voice. Not too deep, not to high/soft — just right for me.
I agree totally! When I heard my friends voice for the first time, I just knew I was somehow ‘home’; like you say. Its amazing how comforting and soothing it is to me. He sometimes reads to me, and I just sit back, close my eyes and relish every moment. Its great to hear that others have experienced the same; as I have often thought I was imagining it. Thanks for a great article!
I get up every morning and turn off the T.V. my husband left on just to listen to the Birds sing, the wind blow, to hear any sounds other than Noise like T.V. Nature is beautiful to listen to and Amazing to watch.
Voices, yes, they tell so much! Thanks for this interesting article, Colette. It affirms to me what I’ve always felt, that voice matters.
Sandra, I’m right with you on the sexiness of James Morrison and Ray LaMontagne. Their voices and lyrics are deep and soulful. Ray’s voice, in particular, opens my heart. Marc Cohn as well!
Hi Collette,
Great article. It makes great sense! I am a visionary artist and I work with art and sound vibration. The voice is a great indication of the soul connection, I believe. Many thanks. brightest of blessings xxx
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