Why we react faster to sound
In classic experiments, simple reaction time to sound in adults is on average a few dozen milliseconds faster than to light. One reason is the signal path: sound reaches the cortex faster than vision, which needs more processing time in the retina. That is why athletics starts with a gun rather than a flash.
How to take the test fairly
- Use the phone speaker or wired headphones. Bluetooth headphones add audio latency that can reach hundreds of milliseconds, making your result look worse than it is.
- Make sure the volume is up and silent mode is off.
- Don’t watch the screen for a hint — react to the sound only.
- Do several tries and look at the average.
Sound, light and touch: compare yourself
The Reaction section has three simple-reaction games across different channels: colour reaction, sound reaction and vibration reaction. Play all three on the same day and see which channel is fastest for you. Many people are quickest on sound and vibration and slowest on colour.
Where auditory reactions matter
- Starts in swimming and athletics.
- Driving: another car’s horn, a siren.
- Online games where you hear footsteps and shots before you see them.
- Jobs with alerts where you must not miss a signal.