Nokia mobile ringtone tops the charts for the sound of the Eighties, Nineties and Noughties in nostalgia poll

It may be a blast from the past, but anyone who had a mobile phone in the 1990s remembers the catchy Nokia ringtone.

In fact, the iconic series of descending musical notes has become such an earworm that a poll voted it the most nostalgic sound of the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.

For example, the jingle, which dates back to 1994, beat out cassette tapes being rewound, dial-up connections and the Pac-Man theme.

Other nostalgic sounds heard in the top 25 included the clicking of typewriter keys and VHS tapes being placed in a video player.

The survey, conducted tomorrow to mark World Hearing Day, found that 69 percent of us believed certain sounds could improve our quality of life.

Gordon Harrison, chief audiologist at Specsavers, who commissioned the study of 2,000 British adults, said: ‘When it comes to the science of nostalgia, our senses are great at picking up memory cues.

‘Sound plays a major role in evoking memories and the emotions that accompany them.

‘The results also remind us how important our hearing is when it comes to remembering things and places and connecting with people.’

The survey, commissioned tomorrow for World Hearing Day, found that 69 percent of us believed certain sounds could improve our quality of life.

Many listen to specific sounds to improve their mood (48 percent), recall memories (43 percent), sleep (25 percent) or reduce anxiety (29 percent).

But 85 percent admit they take their hearing for granted, while 27 percent never protect their ears.

For example, the jingle, which dates back to 1994, beats cassette tapes being rewound, dial-up connections and the Pac-Man theme (stock image)

Other nostalgic sounds heard in the top 25 included the clicking of typewriter keys and VHS tapes being inserted into a video player (stock image)

Of those surveyed by OnePoll, 45 percent said their hearing had gotten worse with age, while 55 percent feared they would lose it completely.

The top signs of hearing loss people mention are frequently having to ask others to repeat themselves (73 percent) and having the TV uncomfortably loud (73 percent).

Mr Harrison added: ‘Although hearing loss is one of the most common health problems, it can be difficult to spot at an early stage.

‘Good hearing protection and regular testing are simple ways to monitor your hearing and minimize hearing loss so you can continue to enjoy the sounds you love. If you notice any changes in your hearing, seek professional help.”