Why Do Phone Calls Make Voices Sound Thinner?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do phone calls make voices sound thinner?

The Big Idea

Phone calls make voices sound thinner because a phone sends only part of your voice! It sends roughly the sounds between 300 and 3,400 hertz. It leaves out the deepest and the highest sounds.

A Slice of Sound

Step one: a slice of sound. Your real voice has sounds from very low to very high, all mixed together. A phone sends only the middle slice, roughly 300 to 3,400 hertz.

Missing Pieces

Step two: some pieces are missing. The deepest sounds, which give voices warmth, are left out. The highest sparkly sounds, which give crisp s sounds, are left out too.

Still Clear Enough

Step three: words still work. The middle slice is enough to understand words, so phones were built this way to save space. Newer phones can send more of the range, so voices sound fuller, with more of the deep and high sounds.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! The deepest parts of a voice are cut off. The middle part is kept and sent. The highest sparkle is cut off too. What is left sounds thin on the phone.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! People are good at recognizing voices even with parts missing. Your brain fills in what is missing. Newer phone calls can sound fuller than older ones. Keep the phone volume comfortable for your ears.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, your mission! Ask a grown-up to call you on a phone from another room. Compare how their voice sounds on the phone with how it sounds in person. What is missing from the phone version? Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

Phones send a slice of your voice. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!