I've just been wondering for a while, and I can't find the answer on Google...
If two similar sounds reach one person's ear at the same volume, but the sources differ in proximity to the person, would this person be able to tell that one is further away?
For example, if we say that the sound of thunder and the sound of a wooden chair being dragged along a wooden floor sound alike, and one person hears both of these sounds (not at the simultaneously). These sounds are equally as "loud" to the person that hears it, would they be able to tell that one is further away, and the other is right outside their room?
In other words, can people tell if something is far away by hearing it, regardless of volume?
If two similar sounds reach one person's ear at the same volume, but the sources differ in proximity to the person, would this person be able to tell that one is further away?
For example, if we say that the sound of thunder and the sound of a wooden chair being dragged along a wooden floor sound alike, and one person hears both of these sounds (not at the simultaneously). These sounds are equally as "loud" to the person that hears it, would they be able to tell that one is further away, and the other is right outside their room?
In other words, can people tell if something is far away by hearing it, regardless of volume?
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Maybe, but only if the person has hearing in both ears. The sound waves CAN make the eardrum in one ear vibrate slightly BEFORE the eardrum in the other ear starts to vibrate because of the difference in distance of the eardrums. Stereoscopic hearing let's the brain "triangulate" where the sound is coming from based on BOTH the timing as well as the volume.
"...For most people, it will be easier to judge distance using two ears. Our brains use the loudness of sounds and the differences in time for sounds to reach each ear to make accurate determinations of sound locations. ..."
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/ch…
"...For most people, it will be easier to judge distance using two ears. Our brains use the loudness of sounds and the differences in time for sounds to reach each ear to make accurate determinations of sound locations. ..."
http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/ch…
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Nope. We rely on volume to get the distance.
It's not like we're bats that have echolocation, so we rely on the volume.
It's not like we're bats that have echolocation, so we rely on the volume.
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No