How do we hear where things are? I Sci Guide with Jonathan Webb I Head Squeeze

How do we hear where things are? Sounds are concentric ripples in the air. If a sound starts over on your left, it will be louder in your left ear than your right and that's because your head is in the way. There is a sound shadow which means there is a level difference between your two ears.

However for low frequency sounds the sound waves bend more easily around your head which means the level difference isn't as big. Your brain then kicks into action, it identifies the timing difference, even if it is only a few milliseconds, your brain will still pick it up.

Interesting fact! : Barn owls have special ruffs of sound protecting feathers that are asymmetrical and actually slow down sound waves on their way into the ears so they can pinpoint squeaking at 20 paces in the dark!

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Have you heard yourself on a recording? Ever wondered why you sound different to how you think you sound? Greg has the answers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvosNz0Xq7g&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PLMrtJn-MOYmcMLEnLKQjjxJqled29hSLB

Or if you've ever pondered whether you could switch your brain off? Jonathan Webb explains how it can happen! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0lyzcz4GcE&list=PLMrtJn-MOYme6klSjJXoZfWmNZ6ZthOSA&index=12

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