Overview

• A Yale University study published on March 24, 2025, shows that poor audio quality during video calls negatively affects perceptions of intelligence, credibility, hireability, and romantic desirability.
• The study conducted six experiments with over 5,100 participants, demonstrating that sound quality alone, independent of content, drives these social judgments.
• Researchers found that biases occur regardless of the speaker's gender, accent, or whether the voice is human or computerized.
• The findings highlight potential socioeconomic biases, as access to high-quality microphones often correlates with financial resources.
• Experts recommend testing and improving microphone quality for critical interactions, such as job interviews or online dating, to mitigate these biases.