Mellékhang

Mellékhang, a Hungarian term, translates to "side tone" or "secondary sound." It refers to the audible sound that a person hears of their own voice while speaking or singing. This sound is not only transmitted through the air from their mouth to their ears but also through the bones of their skull. The bone conduction component is what distinguishes mellékhang from simply hearing oneself speak as another person would. This physiological phenomenon is a natural part of vocal perception and plays a role in how individuals monitor and regulate their own speech production.

The quality of mellékhang can vary depending on factors such as the individual's vocal tract, the resonance of their skull, and even their emotional state. It is often perceived as richer, deeper, or fuller than the sound heard by an external listener. This difference is why many people are surprised by the sound of their recorded voice, as recordings primarily capture the air-conducted sound, omitting the significant contribution of bone conduction. Understanding mellékhang is relevant in fields like speech therapy, audiology, and vocal training, where awareness of one's own vocal feedback is crucial for improvement.