Seashell resonance

<p>Seashell resonance refers to a popular <a href="/facts/List_of_common_misconceptions/rxSqIHvF">folk myth</a> that the sound of the ocean may be heard through <a href="/facts/Seashell/5AyVlBwo">seashells</a>, particularly <a href="/facts/Conch/Ie4rhJQx">conch</a> shells. This effect is similarly observed in any <a href="/facts/Resonant_cavity/NjC413Gn">resonant cavity</a>, such as an empty cup or a <a href="/facts/Hand/0yhW6deV">hand</a> clasped to the <a href="/facts/Ear/UayK1RIP">ear</a>.
</p><p>The resonant sounds are created from <a href="/facts/Ambient_noise/Vw1Fd6Nx">ambient noise</a> in the surrounding environment by the processes of <a href="/facts/Reverberation/188vPg1A">reverberation</a> and (acoustic) amplification within the cavity of the shell.  The ocean-like quality of seashell resonance is due in part to the similarity between airflow and ocean movement sounds. The association of seashells with the ocean likely plays a further role.  Resonators <a href="/facts/Attenuate/XP4vX360">attenuate</a> or emphasize some ambient noise frequencies in the environment, including airflow within the resonator and sound originating from the body, such as bloodflow and muscle movement. These sounds are normally discarded by the <a href="/facts/Auditory_cortex/uBWXKnyn">auditory cortex</a>; however, they become more obvious when louder external sounds are filtered out. This <a href="/facts/Occlusion_effect/oHu3prVJ">occlusion effect</a> occurs with seashells and other resonators such as <a href="/facts/Headphones/hLd5e4Kv">circumaural headphones</a>, raising the <a href="/facts/Acoustics/2GpQUymy">acoustic</a> impedance to external sounds.
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Seashell resonance open-in-new

Seashell resonance