The Journal of Neuroscience published a paper describing the top 10 most annoying sounds, according to a group of 16 people undergoing functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning of their brains when exposed to 74 different sounds. The results were:
1. Knife on a bottle
2. Fork on a glass
3. Chalk on a blackboard
4. Ruler on a bottle
5. Nails on a blackboard
6. Female scream
7. Anglegrinder (a power tool)
8. Squealing brakes on a bicycle
9. Baby crying
10. Electric drill
Source: Smithsonian Magazine