It’s become almost a running joke that no one makes phone calls anymore. After all, we have text and email, which allows us to choose if and when to read a message and to respond. It’s easy, convenient and less time-consuming. It’s also cold and impersonal. While text-based communication may be appropriate for work or everyday conversations, there are times when they simply aren’t fit for purpose.
When you’re feeling low or lonely, the sound of a loved one’s voice can be uplifting and comforting in a way that a text message from the same person simply cannot. It can reassure, soothe and calm.
There’s a scientific reason for this: hearing the voice of a loved one offers profound emotional benefits that written communication can’t fully replicate. Research indicates that vocal interactions can significantly reduce stress and enhance emotional well-being. A study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B found that hearing a familiar voice decreases the level of cortisol, a stress-related hormone, and increases oxytocin, a hormone associated with bonding and trust. What’s more, the study found it wasn’t so much what you are saying that matters, but more, how you say it and that someone can hear you say it.
We’ve heard it before: tone matters and that is something that can be very difficult to convey through a text-based message. There is no substitute for the human voice. The Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley has found that voice-based communication helps you read other people’s emotions more accurately, strengthening social connections.
In other words, it can bring you closer to the people you love because your voice conveys a rich array of emotions. This can foster empathy and deeper understanding. One study found that voice-only communication might even be better than video communication because the former helps people read others’ emotions more accurately.
However, it’s not always possible to be available at the exact time someone needs to hear your voice. Your child could need to listen to you reading their favourite story while you’re in a late meeting. Your grandmother might love to feel you are closer to her, even when you cannot be there.
Personalised audiobooks can fulfil these needs. A personalised audiobook is something that is unique, a gift that is meaningful and filled with love. It is more intimate and is the next best thing to your physical presence.
It’s not just about comfort. Personalised audiobooks can help with literacy; they encourage those who might not want to read physical books, or who simply can’t consume literature.
A short voice sample is all that is needed. Technology will do the rest, creating an audiobook in your voice, specifically tailored for someone who will treasure it. A favourite story can become a memory that lasts a lifetime. You can listen to the voice of a parent, friend, or partner any time you need to.
While written messages have their place, the nuance and emotional depth of our voices play a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing personal connections. After all, the ability to speak is part of what makes us human.