Sound has definitely been abused on the web, but I agree with Josh that it shouldn't be ignored completely. There is still a time and place for using sound to great effect.

However, I believe that this is the bathwater around a baby very much worth saving. Sounds can accentuate user actions, emphasize feedback, and add a bit of delight to an otherwise humdrum action. When done tastefully, sound can make a product feel more tangible and real.

Josh has put together a simple React Hook that lets you trigger sounds using basic browser events. He also discusses some use cases and potential issues. For example, deaf users clearly won't hear it, so sounds should always be mirrored by visual cues as well. Similarly, sounds can be annoying for screen readers, so a mute option must be present.