ABSTRACT
Sound figures largely in our world. Every day we experience noise, music and voices. We use sound to communicate and entertain. Some sounds we find satisfying and enjoyable, others can be unpleasant and even threatening. At times, we use sounds aggressively as warning signals, at other times, to portray affection and trust. Music is one of our great cultural achievements and exemplifies how sound can be used to enrich our lives. In this chapter, we look at the physical nature of sound and how different sounds are produced. We also explore the similarities and differences between the way we and other animals detect sound.
