The preparation of sound-absorbing materials with high porosity is very important for noise control. Silica aerogel has attracted increasing attention in recent years with its high porosity and high acoustic impedance. Combining silica aerogel with traditional sound absorbing materials can significantly combine their sound absorption advantages, and it is quite significant for noise elimination. The concept of sound absorption properties, sound absorption structure, mechanism, methods for measurement and characterization were introduced, and then the effects of air flow resistance, density, thickness, porosity, pore diameter, Young"s modulus and particle size on the sound absorption properties of aerogels were deeply investigated. In addition, the research progress of sound absorption properties of silica aerogels and organic compounds, organic/ inorganic minerals and non-woven fabric composites were reviewed in detail. Finally, the challenges faced at present and the development direction in the future were prospected.