Communication Quote by Gordon Hempton
“Not only does the modern person often think that sight is more important than sound - there's no objective evidence to indicate that. Many people, even audiologists who study the science of human speech and hearing, have assumed for a long time that the human ear evolved to hear the human voice, rather than the voice changing to fit the human ear. And the human ear is actually not a perfect match if we map its sensitivity to the different frequencies in the human range of hearing; it's an unequal curve, it's kind of a wavy line.”
About This Quote
Source Article: Sound and Perception, 2012
Human hearing is tuned more for speech than for pure sound, challenging assumptions about sensory priority.
In simple terms: Ears favor speech over other sounds.
Key Takeaway
Consider how perception shapes design.
Themes
perception
biology
technology
Mood
analytical
curious
Type
scientific
informative
When to use this quote
- audio engineering
- product design
- education
- accessibility
Key Concepts
acoustics
neuroscience
Questions to Reflect On
- How does this affect audio tech design?
- What alternatives exist for non‑speech communication?
A Different Perspective
Assuming universal hearing preferences may ignore individual variance.
