The Yanny Vs. Laurel debate has divided the internet. Many people have stated that they hear Yanny while the others have stated that they hear Laurel. Many people are comparing this debate to the 2015 dress debate. People were arguing about whether an internet dress was white and gold or blue and black.
Brad Story is a professor of speech at the University of Arizona. He has an explanation of why people hear different things. He stated that the audio quality is not the best, so it gives a degree of ambiguity. He also stated that the device people are listening on will also determine what they hear.
Brad stated that Laurel and Yanny have similar resonance patterns. That is why if you have a low-quality recording, then you are more likely to hear Yanny. He also stated that if you adjust the frequency, then you will be able to hear both words.
Britt Yazel is a student at the University of California. He is earning a doctorate degree in neuroscience. He analyzed the recording and edited out the frequencies above 4.5 Kilohertz. All he heard was Laurel. He stated that when you edit out the high frequencies, the only thing that you will hear is Laurel.
Britt also stated that some people are more sensitive to high-frequencies and low-frequencies. The word Laurel is strongest at low frequencies. Yanny is strongest at high frequencies. This is another reason that people may hear different things. The human brain may be wired to interpret things differently.
Brad Story says that the original recording is likely Laurel. Rolando Szabo is a 18-year-old who created the clip. He stated that he did not post the clip to start an internet debate. He confirmed that the word is Laurel, which means a symbol of victory.
