sounds-on-the-web

Sounds on the Web

Review UI code for audio feedback best practices and accessibility.

How It Works

1. Read the specified files (or prompt user for files/pattern)

2. Check against all rules below

3. Output findings in file:line format

Rule Categories

| Priority | Category | Prefix |

|----------|----------|--------|

| 1 | Accessibility | a11y- |

| 2 | Appropriateness | appropriate- |

| 3 | Implementation | impl- |

| 4 | Weight Matching | weight- |

Rules

Accessibility Rules

a11y-visual-equivalent

Every audio cue must have a visual equivalent; sound never replaces visual feedback.

Fail:

function SubmitButton({ onClick }) {
  const handleClick = () => {
    playSound("success");
    onClick(); // No visual confirmation
  };
}

Pass:

function SubmitButton({ onClick }) {
  const [status, setStatus] = useState("idle");
  
  const handleClick = () => {
    playSound("success");
    setStatus("success"); // Visual feedback too
    onClick();
  };
  
  return <button data-status={status}>Submit</button>;
}

a11y-toggle-setting

Provide explicit toggle to disable sounds in settings.

Fail:

// No way to disable sounds
function App() {
  return <SoundProvider>{children}</SoundProvider>;
}

Pass:

function App() {
  const { soundEnabled } = usePreferences();
  return (
    <SoundProvider enabled={soundEnabled}>
      {children}
    </SoundProvider>
  );
}

a11y-reduced-motion-check

Respect prefers-reduced-motion as proxy for sound sensitivity.

Fail:

function playSound(name: string) {
  audio.play(); // Plays regardless of preferences
}

Pass:

function playSound(name: string) {
  const prefersReducedMotion = window.matchMedia(
    "(prefers-reduced-motion: reduce)"
  ).matches;
  
  if (prefersReducedMotion) return;
  audio.play();
}

a11y-volume-control

Allow volume adjustment independent of system volume.

Fail:

function playSound() {
  audio.volume = 1; // Always full volume
  audio.play();
}

Pass:

function playSound() {
  const { volume } = usePreferences();
  audio.volume = volume; // User-controlled
  audio.play();
}

Appropriateness Rules

appropriate-no-high-frequency

Do not add sound to high-frequency interactions (typing, keyboard navigation).

Fail:

function Input({ onChange }) {
  const handleChange = (e) => {
    playSound("keystroke"); // Annoying on every keystroke
    onChange(e);
  };
}

Pass:

function Input({ onChange }) {
  // No sound on typing - visual feedback only
  return <input onChange={onChange} />;
}

appropriate-confirmations-only

Sound is appropriate for confirmations: payments, uploads, form submissions.

Pass:

async function handlePayment() {
  await processPayment();
  playSound("success"); // Appropriate - significant action
  showConfirmation();
}

appropriate-errors-warnings

Sound is appropriate for errors and warnings that can't be overlooked.

Pass:

function handleError(error: Error) {
  playSound("error"); // Appropriate - needs attention
  showErrorToast(error.message);
}

appropriate-no-decorative

Do not add sound to decorative moments with no informational value.

Fail:

function Card({ onHover }) {
  return (
    <div onMouseEnter={() => playSound("hover")}> {/* Decorative, no value */}
      {children}
    </div>
  );
}

appropriate-no-punishing

Sound should inform, not punish; avoid harsh sounds for user mistakes.

Fail:

function ValidationError() {
  playSound("loud-buzzer"); // Punishing
  return <span>Invalid input</span>;
}

Pass:

function ValidationError() {
  playSound("gentle-alert"); // Informative but not harsh
  return <span>Invalid input</span>;
}

Implementation Rules

impl-preload-audio

Preload audio files to avoid playback delay.

Fail:

function playSound(name: string) {
  const audio = new Audio(`/sounds/${name}.mp3`); // Loads on demand
  audio.play();
}

Pass:

const sounds = {
  success: new Audio("/sounds/success.mp3"),
  error: new Audio("/sounds/error.mp3"),
};

// Preload on app init
Object.values(sounds).forEach(audio => audio.load());

function playSound(name: keyof typeof sounds) {
  sounds[name].currentTime = 0;
  sounds[name].play();
}

impl-default-subtle

Default volume should be subtle, not loud.

Fail:

const DEFAULT_VOLUME = 1.0; // Too loud

Pass:

const DEFAULT_VOLUME = 0.3; // Subtle default

impl-reset-current-time

Reset audio currentTime before replay to allow rapid triggering.

Fail:

function playSound() {
  audio.play(); // Won't replay if already playing
}

Pass:

function playSound() {
  audio.currentTime = 0;
  audio.play();
}

Weight Matching Rules

weight-match-action

Sound weight should match action importance.

Fail:

// Loud fanfare for minor action
function handleToggle() {
  playSound("triumphant-fanfare");
  setEnabled(!enabled);
}

Pass:

// Subtle click for minor action
function handleToggle() {
  playSound("soft-click");
  setEnabled(!enabled);
}

// Richer sound for significant action
function handlePurchase() {
  playSound("success-chime");
  completePurchase();
}

weight-duration-matches-action

Sound duration should match action duration.

Fail:

// 2-second sound for instant action
function handleClick() {
  playSound("long-whoosh"); // 2000ms
  // Action completes immediately
}

Pass:

// Short sound for instant action
function handleClick() {
  playSound("click"); // 50ms
}

// Longer sound for process
function handleUpload() {
  playSound("upload-progress"); // Matches upload duration
}

Output Format

When reviewing files, output findings as:

file:line - [rule-id] description of issue

Example:
components/input/index.tsx:23 - [appropriate-no-high-frequency] Playing sound on every keystroke
lib/sounds.ts:45 - [a11y-reduced-motion-check] Not checking prefers-reduced-motion

Summary Table

After findings, output a summary:

| Rule | Count | Severity |

|------|-------|----------|

| a11y-visual-equivalent | 2 | HIGH |

| appropriate-no-high-frequency | 1 | HIGH |

| impl-preload-audio | 3 | MEDIUM |

Sound Appropriateness Matrix

| Interaction | Sound? | Reason |

|-------------|--------|--------|

| Payment success | Yes | Significant confirmation |

| Form submission | Yes | User needs assurance |

| Error state | Yes | Can't be overlooked |

| Notification | Yes | May not be looking at screen |

| Button click | Maybe | Only for significant buttons |

| Typing | No | Too frequent |

| Hover | No | Decorative only |

| Scroll | No | Too frequent |

| Navigation | No | Keyboard nav would be noisy |

References

• Web Audio API Documentation ↗
• prefers-reduced-motion ↗