Did you know there's actually a reason why people talk so loud on cell phones? It's related to the reason your voice always sounds funny when it's recorded. ("I don't really sound like that, do I?")
Side Tones
Side tones are the sound of your own voice, conducted through the bones of your skull to your ears. As the sound moves through your skull, it changes slightly, and that's why you hear yourself differently than others do. But the side tones do more than just make you hear yourself funny -- they help you modulate your own voice.
People with headphones or earplugs often tend to speak louder, because they cannot hear themselves very well. Their natural volume adjustments are thrown off by the headphones.
Here's where telephones come in. On a conventional (wired) phone, you hear some of your own voice mirrored back at you through the speaker by your ear. It's not a natural side tone, but an extra sound that has been built in to telephones for decades. You may have never noticed it, but you've probably naturally gotten used to it.
Cell phones do not have the extra side tone built in. When you talk on a cell phone, you might as well be talking into a brick. There are no extra clues to help you judge your volume.
Triumph of the Brain
So here's the Grand Secret. Cell phones actually have very good microphones built in. A normal speaking voice is plenty for a cell phone to pick up. Even though there's no feedback -- no side tones -- if you simply remember to speak normally, you'll come across fine.
At least, as fine as the cell phone connection will allow. Speaking louder won't improve your reception.
Comments (1)
The whole time I read your post, I was thinking, "then how come I can never hear my Mom when she's calling me on my brother's cell phone?!" (She insists on using it because it's free on weekends; I don't blame her).
And then I read that last sentence. A-ha! I can just imagine the kind of crummy reception they're getting there at the base of the Jemez Mountains.
And a sidenote: many times when people loudly talk on their cell phones while walking past Nathan and I, we enjoy participating in their conversation under our breath.
CELL PHONE USER: Dude, you comin' to the party tonight?
US: Sure; I'll pick up some diet soda and be there at 7:00.
Posted by Beth | July 1, 2005 6:47 PM
Posted on July 1, 2005 18:47