Did you know that what we see can influence what we hear? I know that it sounds crazy, but it is true. Do this first: Click on the video link below. First, watch the video and remember the sound that you hear. Then close your eyes and just listen to the person speaking. What sound do you hear now?
You heard 2 different sounds. Watching it you heard : Dah, Dah. Listening to it you heard : Bah, Bah. How is this possible? It is something called the McGurk Effect after the person who first described the effect in 1976. I know that you want to try it again and go ahead. Even though you know what is going on, you will still hear the 2 different sounds. We can’t help but use our eyes as part of our hearing process. Our senses are more integrated than we sometimes realize.
For a more in-depth explanation of the McGurk Effect, click here.