At some point, you may have experienced this issue – hearing your voice in your headset while making or receiving a call. It is an issue that is not uncommon with headsets and even if the headsets are new, or don’t have a technical issue, that still can happen.
These reasons for hearing back your voice in the headset could range from headset issues or even issues with the PC audio settings or the issues with the speaker from the other end. You can fix the issue by setting tweaks from your PC, phone, or device that you are using after identifying the origin of the problem.
To understand the issue with your headset, you need to get a hint on what echo can do to your sound, and what reverb can do since the problem could be due to echo or reverb settings in your device.
Echo issues
It is one of the issues that can cause you to hear your voice in the headset. It refers to a delayed sound traveling from a source, bouncing from a surface, and returning to the source.
Echoes require space to be heard clearly (nearly 50 feet) between the sound source and a surface. The existence of hard surfaces needs to be present to allow more effective sound bouncing. When sound encounters soft materials, the sound is absorbed. This reason is why studios have padded walls to achieve unfiltered sound.
Echo Vs. Reverb
In a smaller space, you can’t perceive echoes easily. This hearing issue is caused by the delay between the initial sound and echo, making them short for the Ear to get them. Instead, sounds continuously bounce, piling over each other called reverberation.
Why do I Hear My Voice Through My Headset?
There are many reasons why you may hear your voice through your headsets. The process of knowing the problem is majorly through trial and error. The good thing is that the normal ways to fix such an issue aren’t necessarily hard to perform, which may eventually improve your experience.
Other People Speakers
The most common problem of an echo may not be a result of your microphone, but it may result from the person you are speaking to. This person’s microphone picks up and returns it to you hence the echo.
Solution
Tell the other person to switch off the speaker for a short time to discern this. When you conclude that the friends’ speakers are the problem, inform them to lower the volume, move a distance from the speaker, or use headphones.
Different Devices
You may contain more than one active recording gadget. Most laptops have a pre-built microphone; therefore, when both the headset and another recording gadget are on, an echo is due.
Solution
To stop the functionality of other recording gadgets, do the following:
1. Tap the Start and proceed to the Control Panel, Hardware>sound, and finally, a sound option.
2. Choose the recording icon on the windows, right-click, and disable any devices listed.
Microphone Boost
Some audio adapters use a feature on Windows known as microphone boost that has been stated by Microsoft to can cause echo.
Solution
1. Proceed to the Sound tab.
2. Choose the Recording icon and right click the headsets and choose Properties.
3. Tap the levels tab in the microphone properties window and unselect microphone boost.
4. Finally choose apply and leave the window.
Mic Monitor
Did you know that the headset sometimes sends back audio to you, so you may know how loud you sound to others? You may perceive a slight delay in your Internet connection and the programs you use. The delay may occur when you speak to another person.
Solution
1. Proceed to the Microphone Properties Tab as highlighted above.
2. Choose the listen tab and ensure the check box next to this is blank.
3. If it is selected, unselect it, click Apply, and leave the window.
Image: Unsplash
How to Stop Hearing your Voice on Headset on Windows 10/11 and MAC
What happens when you begin to hear your voice on the headsets? Then you need to realize that the Mic isn’t properly set.
Why Do I Hear Myself Using Headset on Windows?
The sound setting may not have an incorrect setup, making you receive an echo. This improper setting implies that you have the microphone monitoring functional on the PC. The microphone monitoring is a setting that connects your mic input direct to your headsets, causing you to see your sound usage.
Consequently, another Mic may be on simultaneously, such as the laptop and standalone Mic. Additionally, your Mic may receive a boost, yet it's not properly configured. On rare occasions, hardware issues can be at fault.
However, if you doubt this, use your microphone headset in another device to settle your speculations. How to Stop Hearing Your Voice on a Mic on Windows 11 To stop hearing yourself, a person using Windows 11 needs to disable the microphone monitoring.
For many users, upon performing this action, the echo fails to occur in your speakers or headsets. Then this is what you need to do:
1. Open the Start Menu and choose Settings.
2. In the settings tab, proceed to System> sound.
3. Choose more sound settings.
4. In the Sound tab, click Recording and choose " “My Mic”
5. Select properties.
6. On the Listen tab, unselect Listen to this device.
7. Click OK to save the new changes.
How to Stop Hearing Yourself on a Mic on Windows 10
If you’re using Windows 10, the problem still rests on microphone monitoring. However, the methods are somehow different due to advancements in Windows 11. The process is as follows:
1. Right-click on the Start Menu and choose settings.
2. In the settings tab, click System>Sound.
3. Click Sound Control Panel.
4. In this sound tab, choose Recording.
5. From there, choose Microphone and press Properties.
6. In the Microphone properties tab, select Listen.
7. Unselect the listen to this device from the checkbox.
8. Finally, click OK to save the new changes.
Microphone Configuration on Windows
For the steps given above, then the configuration of your microphone needs to be fast so that you don’t hear yourself. If you’re still encountering Mic problems, a Windows 10 user needs to boost microphone levels. A windows 11 user can ascertain that the Mic has no hardware problems by testing it.
How to fix the Issue on MAC
Mac OS has the Ambient Noise reduction option that utilizes software preferences to adjust the volume.
To disable this feature, then follow these steps:
1. Click the system preferences icon and then proceed to the sound icon.
2. Tap the input tab, then search for the Use Ambient Noise Reduction under the input level. Ensure the checkbox isn’t selected.
Source: Unsplash
Other Possible Issues and Fixes
The problem may not only rely on the microphone of the headsets, but the headsets may have their problems.
The headset problem doesn’t always have to be a software one. If you update the headset and the problem persists, the issue may result from the connection or even dirt levels. Here are some of the common issues you may encounter with the headsets.
Hearing one Ear
This issue occurs when the cable isn’t set up properly. The majority of the time, it is half plugged, and you need to push it.
Solution
You may also remove the cable, check that the connector is in good shape, clean it with a cloth and insert it back. If the sound is still coming from one Ear, insert it into other devices like your phone. This new connection makes you know whether the problem lies with your PC or the headset.
I did not hear any Audio
If you fail to hear any sound, the cable connection is incorrect. Grey, black, and orange are used for speakers, pink for Mics, blue for DVD players, and green for headphones.
Solution
You should make the correct cable connection to ensure the audio plays. Additionally, if no sound plays, it may result from low power on the Bluetooth headset.
No sound on the Computer
If a cross displays on the speaker tab in the lower right corner of the PC, that implies that the PC doesn’t recognize the headset. This problem results from the drivers, meaning the software the headsets use requires an update. In most scenarios, the headsets work with the PC’s software, but some contain their software.
Solution:
Constantly look for updates for the computer audio software by searching its model. The PC needs the latest audio software to rectify any audio issues on the headset.
Echo or Delay During a Call
When an echo projects during a call with someone on the headsets, it means either of you has a higher volume. This high volume makes you hear the voice as an echo, or the speakers’ volume is so loud that they bounce on other parts of the room resulting in an echo.
Solution:
In case you aren’t using speakers, and you hear a reflection of the direct sound on the walls of your room. Then you’ll benefit from noise-canceling headsets or a room with better audio.
Final thoughts
The problem of hearing your voice on the headsets should no longer be an issue since you have understood everything that you need to do to identify and fix the problem.
Integraudio is an audio blog made specifically for musicians and those seeking audio knowledge.