Medical Mysteries of Music

Why Do Most People Hate the Sound of Their Own Voice?

This has probably happened to you. A recording is made of you speaking. When it’s played back you say “Do I really sound like that? I sound awful!” Fear not. This is a very, very common reaction.

But why do we have that reaction at all?  The Independent takes a look.

Your voice as you hear it when you speak out loud is very different from the voice the rest of the world perceives. That’s because it comes to you via a different channel than everyone else.

When sound waves from the outside world — someone else’s voice, for example — hit the outer ear, they’re siphoned straight through the ear canal to hit the ear drum, creating vibrations that the brain will translate into sound.

Continue reading.

Alan Cross

is an internationally known broadcaster, interviewer, writer, consultant, blogger and speaker. In his 40+ years in the music business, Alan has interviewed the biggest names in rock, from David Bowie and U2 to Pearl Jam and the Foo Fighters. He’s also known as a musicologist and documentarian through programs like The Ongoing History of New Music.

Alan Cross has 39159 posts and counting. See all posts by Alan Cross

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