Most of us have experienced the cognitive dissonance of hearing our own voices played back at us: It sounds weird, unlike us at all. There are no statistics on how many people hate the sounds of their own voice, but a psychological study done with students at Albright College, showed that participants frequently did not recognise their own voice when played back to them if mixed with other voice clips. These students rated their own voice as being more ‘attractive’ before they were told it was their own, after which they lowered their rating.
One ‘cringe factor’ when people hear their own voices, is that they frequently sound higher pitched than expected. This is all down to biology. When we speak, we hear our voices through two primary pathways: air conduction and bone conduction. Air conduction involves sound waves travelling through the air into our ears, while bone conduction transmits vibrations from our vocal cords through the bones of the skull to the inner ear. This combination allows us to perceive our voice as richer and deeper than others hear it. But, when listening to a recording, we experience our voice solely through air conduction, without the internal bone vibrations and surprise, your voice does not sound the way you hear it. It is unfamiliar and unsettling, and means many people avoid being recorded.
However, there is research that shows it is important to hear your own voice played back at you, especially when it comes to personal development. In fact, when it comes to affirmations (positive statements that improve your confidence in your ability to achieve certain goals), your voice matters. Affirmations hold important benefits. Research from Carnegie Mellon University shows it can boost your ability to solve problems under pressure. In addition, it can decrease stress and make you more resilient so that when challenges arise, you are better able to deal with them.
While you could say your affirmations mentally, a study published in Procedia – Social and Behavioral Sciences shows that hearing them out loud, in your own voice, is more effective. Researchers looked at what they call “instructional and motivational self-talk” in young basketball players, and found that those who listened or spoke affirmations improved their pass skill and shot performance.
What if you could take this a step further? You could speak your affirmations to yourself. You could even record them and listen to them throughout your day. Or, you could record a motivational personalised audiobook.
Beyond the initial discomfort, engaging with your recorded voice has significant psychological and emotional benefits:
Enhanced Self-Awareness and Control: Recognising and accepting our own voices are integral to our sense of agency, the feeling of being in control of our actions and what we say. A study from the University of Tokyo highlighted that individuals who can identify their voice are more attuned to their speech, creating a stronger sense of self and autonomy.
Improved Communication Skills: Regularly listening to your recorded voice can lead to better self-monitoring and refining your speech patterns, helping you to communicate more clearly and effectively.
And if you do not want to listen to affirmations, you can record personalised audiobooks for your loved ones. Hearing a familiar voice fosters emotional connection and empathy, evoking deep emotional responses and strengthening bonds with listeners, like your children. The authenticity and warmth conveyed through a familiar voice can provide comfort and a sense of closeness.
So, how do you overcome the discomfort of hearing your voice, when you think you sound like a chipmunk? While it is natural to feel uneasy about the sound of your recorded voice, embracing it could lead to personal growth and acceptance. There are multiple ways to help you accept your voice, and use it well.
Firstly, practising recording and listening back to your voice will make it more familiar, allowing you to become used to its true sound. Secondly, it is the message, not the medium that matters, the content and intent behind your words are more significant to your or your audience than the tonal quality of your voice. Thirdly, sharing your recordings with trusted friends or family can help you get constructive feedback and boost your confidence. Finally, it is possible to ‘improve’ the tonal quality of your voice by doing breathing and warmup exercises before recording.
While the uneasiness towards your own recorded voice is common, understanding the underlying reasons and recognising the profound benefits of hearing and sharing your voice should motivate you to create personalised affirmations and audiobooks. Embracing the uniqueness of your voice is a powerful tool for connection, learning and legacy.