Sound effects are being added to Google Streetview to add a more realistic ambience to the app.

Italy-based hearing aid firm Amplifon has come up with the idea.

It has trialled several test scenes by adding accordion music to a cafe scene in France, waves lapping at the shore mixed with laughter from people on the beach in Hawaii, as well as birds chirping in a park in San Diego.

While the Buckingham Fountain in Chicago not only has the sound of running water, but also the sound of birds flying around you.

As users move nearer to the sound in the app, the volume rises as they explore the virtual world.

The project creators have created this promotional video to explain how it works.