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The sensation of compression caused by waves in a medium, such as the ocean, and the perception of air pressure caused by sound waves are two distinct phenomena, although they both involve wave propagation.

When waves travel through a medium like water, they create alternating regions of compression and rarefaction. These compressions and rarefactions can be physically felt as pressure changes against our bodies. In the case of ocean waves, when a wave approaches the shore, it pushes against the air in front of it, creating a compression of air molecules. This compression is transmitted through the air, and when it reaches our bodies, we can feel the increased pressure against our skin.

On the other hand, sound waves are also waves of compression and rarefaction, but they travel through a different medium, namely air (or other gases, liquids, or solids). When sound waves reach our ears, they cause vibrations in the eardrum, which are then translated into nerve signals that our brain interprets as sound. However, unlike the compression of air caused by ocean waves, we do not generally feel the air pressure changes from sound waves as physical sensations. This is because the pressure variations caused by sound waves are much smaller and at a higher frequency than those created by ocean waves. Our bodies are not as sensitive to these small pressure changes as they are to larger changes, such as those caused by ocean waves.

In summary, the compression of air caused by ocean waves can be felt because it involves larger pressure changes against our bodies. In contrast, the air pressure changes caused by sound waves hitting our ears are generally too small and rapid to be physically sensed. Instead, they are detected by the specialized structures in our ears and perceived as sound.

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