Do you hate hearing your own voice in audio recordings?

Question

Why do we hate the sound of our own voices? To summarise: Introduction = "The discomfort we have over hearing our voices in audio recordings is probably due to a mix of physiology and psychology." Reason 1 = "For one, the sound from an audio recording is transmitted differently to your brain than the sound generated when you speak." "People generally perceive their voice as deeper and richer when they speak. The recorded voice, in comparison, can sound thinner and higher pitched, which many find cringeworthy." Reason 2 = "There’s a second reason hearing a recording of your voice can be so disconcerting. It really is a new voice – one that exposes a difference between your self-perception and reality. Because your voice is unique and an important component of self-identity, this mismatch can be jarring. Suddenly you realize other people have been hearing something else all along." Conclusion = "Even though we may actually sound more like our recorded voice to others, I think the reason so many of us squirm upon hearing it is not that the recorded voice is necessarily worse than our perceived voice. Instead, we’re simply more used to hearing ourselves sound a certain way."

MCheetah · Accepted Answer

I dislike hearing my voice in general. That's an easy way to torture me.

I think I heard one theory being, we don't accurately hear our own voice when we speak because it's inside our own skulls and and all. So we only hear our "true" voice on a recording and it's usually a shock when we hear it. I think my voice is a 4/10 normally; I hate it. But it's a 0.5/10 on a recording. I sound like an even gayer Mike Tyson. Literally the worst male voice of a straight guy I can imagine. Here's some proof.

https://voca.ro/1eRsamUsc5nG

TallAnon · Accepted Answer

I think I have quite a nice voice, but I am quite critical and when recording I'll often take multiple takes.

Sonorous · Answer

I wish it was deeper. But I don't hate it.

Daniela1982 · Answer

The reason you sound different on a recording than in real life is because the bones in your head cause the sound to be transmitted differently to your ears. Sound is both going out and in at the same time and collide to make it sound different. Whereas when you hear a recording it is not with your own voice.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

I hate to hear my own voice on any recording especially my voicemail also on the phone I often get mistaken for being a female and this makes me feel hurt cause I am 100 % male so I don't know how to fix things and all I know to do is look for videos on YouTube for videos on how to sound like your gender and trust me there are other people out there have the same issues.

DeeDeeDeVour · Answer

I'm an awful singer. Really crappy! That's the only time I don't like to hear my voice in a recording. Otherwise, my sultry speaking voice is something I don't mind listening to at all.

ChrisMaster69 · Answer

Yeah I suck on how I sound to myself. others have said I sound okay. Alcohol does play a part, as it influences my accent and the amount of Geordie that I use lol.

nolabels · Answer

My recorded voice sounds very nasal to me, but when asked about it, others say that it doesn't sound that way to them. Go figure.

Cherry234 · Answer

I dislike hearing my voice in general, not just in audio recordings lol.

Aussie-guy · Answer

I got used to it. I worked in radio when I was younger so I would hear my voice played back on air all the time.  Took some getting used to.

douride2 · Answer

I hate the sound of my voice on recordings. It sounds like I have a mouth full of gravel. I have a raspy voice

exitseven · Answer

I always think I sound like Mickey Mouse with a sore throat.

Wise4myage · Answer

B. I don't, but some girls have told me that they like my deep voice.

Godawfulwasteofspace · Answer

Absolutely. I can’t stand it. I sound so much different from the way I hear myself talk.

Cubus · Answer

I used to, as I used to find it weird, but I got used to it.

uncutfun · Answer

It's because u may hear youself when u talk ... but u won't recognize your voice

Joker_ · Answer

I have never heard my voice in an audio recording / I am mute

tatianamay · Answer

I hate my voice lmao.

humanearth · Answer

Yes and I hate seeing my own image to

The_Outlaw · Answer

Hell yes. It's cringy.

faithtofallbackon · Answer

I hate my voice recorded, it sounds like a child

IronsKev · Answer

Yes so much so I won't leave a voicemail

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Do you hate hearing your own voice in audio recordings?

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