How Long Does Sound Take to Travel from the Voicebox to the Ear?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the time delay for sound to travel from the voicebox to the ear, exploring the factors that influence this delay, including the definition of "registering" sound and the specific anatomical considerations involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the definition of "registering," suggesting it could refer to either awareness of the sound or the sound reaching the ear end of the auric nerve.
  • Another participant provides an estimate of the speed of sound through bone, noting it to be approximately 2500 m/s, and calculates a rough travel time of about 50 microseconds for sound to travel from the voicebox to the middle ear, based on a distance of about 13 cm.
  • The variability in the composition of bone affecting sound speed is mentioned, indicating that the estimate is rough and dependent on specific anatomical factors.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the definition of "registering" sound or the implications of different anatomical considerations, leaving the discussion open-ended regarding these aspects.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the importance of specifying anatomical reference points and definitions, as well as the variability in biological materials affecting sound transmission.

dave_t
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Hi all

Does anyone know the time delay through the head between the voicebox producing sound and the ear registering it?

Thanks in advance

Dave
 
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Well, what does "registering" mean? The time that the person should become aware of the sound, or simply the time the sound reaches the ear end of the auric nerve(s)? Also, I think you should specify the center of the voicebox. It would make a big difference if you are interested in the edge of the voicebox nearest the nearest ear instead.

In any case, I dunno, sorry.
 
A very quick estimate of the speed of sound through bone is about 2500 m/s (speed of sound through solids is equal to the square root of the ("young's modulus" over the density) or sqrt (Y/rho). Young's modulus of bone is about 10^10 N/m^2.

It's about 13 cm from the voicebox to the middle ear (give or take a cm), so sound will get there in about 50 microseconds. The composition (densities and elasticities) of bone varies through the body, so this is just a rough estimate.
 
Good answer Chi Meson!
 
Thanks so much for the reply Chi

Regards

Dave
 

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