this post was submitted on 03 Apr 2025
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Science Memes

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[–] marron12@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (2 children)

Hearing is a backup sense.

That might vary by person, but for me it's not. If I had to pick between being able to see and being able to hear, it'd be hearing, hands down. Being able to see is amazing and I'd miss it, but hearing is just a whole other dimension.

Being able to know how someone is feeling, just by hearing their voice. Listening to music and hearing all the shapes, colors, and feelings that come with it. The colors aren't always ones you can see, like blue or yellow. It's hard to describe. I'll close my eyes and just listen at a concert (not the whole time) and same with TV, a lot of times. I usually remember it better that way.

If I have to find something in a backpack, I'll often do it by feel. I probably look like a raccoon washing its food, but it just works for me. You can tell things apart by feel and sound.

[–] ReluctantMuskrat@lemmy.world 1 points 13 hours ago (1 children)

Your description of hearing shapes and colors sounds a lot like someone with synesthesia, a rare condition that's seems to have no downsides and only benefits.

[–] nickwitha_k@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

a rare condition that's seems to have no downsides and only benefits.

A potential downside is sensory overload.

[–] ReluctantMuskrat@lemmy.world 1 points 58 minutes ago

I don't have it but one of my kids does. She sees colors with certain numbers and letters. Certainly doesn't seem to have a downside for her and in my reading I haven't heard of a sensory overload issue. Is this strictly related to the synesthesia or perhaps synethesia exaggerating an existing autistic or ADHD issue?

[–] Khanzarate@lemmy.world 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

That's neat.

It makes me wonder if your hearing is better than average or if your eyes are worse, making it not so clear-cut.

Do you need glasses, or have you ever had your hearing tested for whatever reason?

[–] marron12@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

I don't need glasses. Haven't had my hearing tested, but I think it might be better than average. I can hear high frequencies annoyingly well, 20kHz or a little more (checked with a spectrum analyzer). It's fun to listen to the high harmonics in music. Vacuum cleaners and electric cars are less fun.

I can usually hear my muscles and bones moving. It's very quiet and low frequency, and the muscles rumble. I can usually tune it out though.