When it sounds like people's voices are coming from a distance, it can be attributed to several factors, including the following:
Acoustic Environment: The physical environment plays a role in how sounds are perceived. If you are in a large open space, such as a park or a spacious room, sound waves can travel a longer distance before reaching your ears. This can create the perception that voices are coming from a distance.
Reverberation: Reverberation refers to the persistence of sound after the source has stopped producing it. In environments with reflective surfaces, such as a large hall or a canyon, sound waves can bounce off surfaces and reach your ears after a short delay. This delay in sound arrival can create the impression that voices are coming from a distance.
Attenuation: Sound waves can attenuate or lose intensity as they travel through the air. Higher frequencies tend to attenuate more quickly than lower frequencies. Therefore, if you hear voices with reduced high-frequency content, they may sound like they are coming from a distance.
Sound Source Characteristics: The characteristics of the sound source itself can influence how it is perceived. For example, if someone speaks softly or if the sound is muffled, it can give the impression that the voices are coming from a distance.
Psychological Factors: Our perception of distance and space can also be influenced by psychological factors. For instance, if you are in an unfamiliar or dimly lit environment, your brain may interpret sounds differently, leading to the perception of voices being farther away.
It's important to note that these factors are not exhaustive, and other variables can also contribute to the perception of distant voices. Our brain processes a combination of auditory cues, contextual information, and past experiences to create our perception of sound and distance.