Possible to hear a passing ship underwater with my ears?

BristolBrick · 12-30-18, 11:45 PM

A few days ago I was at the beach, swimming in the shallows not far from the shore in about 4-5ft of water. I stuck my head underwater and noticed a faint sound coming from the direction of a ship I could see on the horizon. (Probably a container or other large cargo ship) I guessed it to be about 8 miles away.

I have pretty sensitive ears, and there wasn't anything else I could see which could make such a noise. Could I have been hearing the ship with my ears, like the subs did with hydrophones, or am I mistaken in some way?

I have been searching and only found this noise, it's very similar to what I heard and makes me believe that I did hear the ship.

Thanks for any answers, I'm curious to know whether ears can be used as hydrophones.

Sailor Steve · 12-31-18, 01:25 AM

Sound does travel faster and further underwater, so I don't see why not.

Jimbuna · 12-31-18, 05:08 AM

When I was a younger chap I would often swim within a mile of my local harbour entrance and would often experience what you are describing.

Simply put....hydrophones are a submarines ears.

Platapus · 12-31-18, 05:13 PM

As an experienced scuba diver, I can attest that you can hear ships/motor boats while you are underwater. You can hear them very well. Actually too well.

You will, however have two significant problems.

1. It will be very difficult to determine the direction as the time difference between when each of your ears receives the sound waves is much shorter than when you hear sounds in air.

2. For the same reason, you will find it very difficult to judge the distance

Speed of sound in air is about 340 meters per second
Speed of sound in water is about 1500 meters per second

Both of these are dependent on many factors such as temperature.

Our "sonar" processing brains are calibrated for determining direction and distance of sound in air. When used underwater, sound appears to be right on top of you and from all directions.

12-30-18, 11:45 PM	#1
BristolBrick Seaman Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 42 Downloads: 14 Uploads: 0	Possible to hear a passing ship underwater with my ears? A few days ago I was at the beach, swimming in the shallows not far from the shore in about 4-5ft of water. I stuck my head underwater and noticed a faint sound coming from the direction of a ship I could see on the horizon. (Probably a container or other large cargo ship) I guessed it to be about 8 miles away. I have pretty sensitive ears, and there wasn't anything else I could see which could make such a noise. Could I have been hearing the ship with my ears, like the subs did with hydrophones, or am I mistaken in some way? I have been searching and only found this noise, it's very similar to what I heard and makes me believe that I did hear the ship. Thanks for any answers, I'm curious to know whether ears can be used as hydrophones.

12-31-18, 01:25 AM	#2
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Sound does travel faster and further underwater, so I don't see why not. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

12-31-18, 05:08 AM	#3
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,461 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	When I was a younger chap I would often swim within a mile of my local harbour entrance and would often experience what you are describing. Simply put....hydrophones are a submarines ears. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

12-31-18, 05:13 PM	#4
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,360 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	As an experienced scuba diver, I can attest that you can hear ships/motor boats while you are underwater. You can hear them very well. Actually too well. You will, however have two significant problems. 1. It will be very difficult to determine the direction as the time difference between when each of your ears receives the sound waves is much shorter than when you hear sounds in air. 2. For the same reason, you will find it very difficult to judge the distance Speed of sound in air is about 340 meters per second Speed of sound in water is about 1500 meters per second Both of these are dependent on many factors such as temperature. Our "sonar" processing brains are calibrated for determining direction and distance of sound in air. When used underwater, sound appears to be right on top of you and from all directions. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.