Sound is a form of energy that is produced by vibrations traveling through a medium, typically air, but also including other substances like water or solids. It is a mechanical wave that propagates as a series of compressions and rarefactions, creating a pattern of high and low-pressure regions in the medium.
The perception of sound occurs when these pressure variations reach the human ear or other hearing organs, and they are converted into electrical signals that the brain interprets as sound. Thus, sound is often associated with the act of being heard or listened to by living organisms capable of auditory perception.
However, it is important to note that sound exists independently of being listened to. Sound waves continue to propagate through a medium, even if there are no ears or hearing organs to perceive them. The production and transmission of sound can occur in various natural and artificial environments, irrespective of whether there are living organisms present to hear it. For example, sound can be created by musical instruments, machinery, or natural events like thunder. These sounds can exist and propagate through a medium, regardless of whether they are detected or perceived by a listener.