Many of us have had the unpleasant experience of hearing
ourselves on tape and hating what we sound like. Though we
may try to blame it on a defective recording system or a
lingering cold, the harsh reality is that more often than
not, what you hear is what other people get.

As we speak, breath pushed through the vocal cords vibrates
and creates a voice. Our friends (and their tape recorders)
hear only the vibrations that travel through the air.

We hear our own voices not only with our ears, but also
through the liquids and solids in our heads. Liquids and
solids transmit sounds differently than air, accounting for
most of the differences between our perception of our voice
and everyone else's. Internal hearing also produces a
better quality sound than external hearing, so your own
private version of your voice is the best there is. Which
is good, since no one spends more time listening to your
voice than you do.