Normally, if you hear a sound, you have some idea of where the sound came from. But when a scuba diver hears a sound underwater, it is virtually impossible to tell where it came from.
1. Why?
2. Can you suggest some form of underwater hearing aid type device that would allow more accurate underwater sound localization?
I have read other comments in regard of the sound wave & time difference. However, it might not be the main reason that causes the scuba driver to identify the location of the wave.
In the underwater, when a substance is sounded, the sound reaches both of our ears. The difference from the sound to reach the left ear & the right ear could not be more than 10 feet.
Let's perform an experiment. Take 2 substances, such as, string or rope or etc., to link up a cup with 2 cups. The transmitter is given with a cup that is linked up with the 2 cups to be used by the recipient for his listening. The recipient would use a cup for his left ear & another cup for his right ear. The substances that join the cup that was used by the transmitter & the recipient are of two different lengths. Or in other words, the substance that ties the cup that is used by the transmitter to the recipient's left ear is in different length (the most difference by 3 feet) of the one that links up to his right ear. The two persons stand a few feet apart. Once the transmitter speaks a word, the recipient receives the sound almost at the same time. The reason is simply that once the transmitter speaks a word, the substance, such as, string, rope & etc., has turned up to be the device of transmission. The same as that is in the underwater. Water has become a device of transmission of sound & that both of the ears of recipient has a direct contact with water & this makes it possible for the sound to transmit fast. The fast speed of sound that reaches the ears cause the scuba driver to be unable to identify the location of the sound due to the sound almost reaches both of the ears of the scuba driver at the same time.
Solution
