- A 2007 study debunked the claim that women talk more than men, finding both genders speak about 16,000 words daily.
- A 2024 replication with over 2,000 participants confirmed equal talkativeness but found a 20% decline in daily words to 12,700, dropping about 338 words per year.
- Possible reasons for the decline include replacement by digital communication, reduced casual interactions like asking for directions, and fewer conversations with strangers.
- The EAR (Electronically Activated Recorder) is a research tool that passively records ambient sounds to study real-life social interactions without intrusion.