I have the same problem. When DH can't hear me when we're together at home, he tells me to use my phone voice.

I thought folks only talked loudly on the phone when they were on a cell in a public place.

I have a friend who does that. I didn't used to do it, but I talk often on the phone with my cousin, who does. Now I'm starting to do it, too.

Maybe we need an intervention.

Often there's an explanation for it. Many times having the receiver over the ear of course cuts off part (roughly 1/2) of your hearing. When you're used to hearing yourself speak at a certain level and can't hear yourself, it's not unusual to speak louder. Just like you would if there's a high ambient noise level.

It could also be you got used to doing it because people you spoke to couldn't hear unless you raised the volume.

Or you could be used to talking over the volume of the TV, radio or other conversations.

Or.... maybe you're weird??? ;) (just kidding!)

It could be a lot of reasons.

So - think about it when you're on the phone! Really - stick a note on your phone reminding you to speak in a normal tone of voice.

It's a habit, which has been reinforced by lousy cell phone reception.

In my case I speak louder when I can't hear the caller well or the caller's voice is breaking up. I guess I just assume that if I can't hear or understand them, they can't hear me. This only happens with cell phones by and large.

Coral, I love it: phone voice. What a great line!

Cynic, I "know" I am weird, that could be the problem at my end. LOL

Moni

My DH talks very loudly when on the phone... he is usually talking to his brother, who also talks loudly (so loudly that I can be several feet away and still hear what DBIL is saying to DH while DH has the phone up to his ear). So in their case, it must be hereditary. :-)

DH does have hearing loss from when he was in the Navy. I'm sure that may have something to do with it.

I'm more of a mumbler while on the phone.

I know--we could make believe we're teenagers again, talking on the "family phone" (remember those days?) to a.........boy! Remember how we kept our voices down? And mumbled? (We don't have to do the mumbling part.)

Susan - it's been a long time but I do remember those days. The best part was following the telephone cord to find out which brother had taken the phone into his bedroom - then I'd stand outside and eavesdrop. Ah the good old days.

My DH is hard-of-hearing, and when he talks on the phone he is loud. I remind him that he is not talking long distance!

DH also complains about me talking very loud on the phone. I have asked people if I sound loud to them and usually they say no. I know I have a hang-up with those tiny little mics on the cell phones. They are different and the voice seems to go out into the room more than the big old phones that craddled your voice to catch it.

I try to talk normal, but it always comes out loud. I think we have a noisy house.

If its a cell phone your referring to it may be that you are holding it too close to your mouth. Try holding it about chest level. You can alway tell them to turn down the volume.

Do you have allergies? I think I talk louder when my allergies are bothering me because my ears fill up with gunk.

My Mom always talks loudly on the phone. I noticed it back when I was a kid. I think she developed a "telephone voice" when ahe was a receptionist in an office, answering phones,directing visitors, etc.

Probably just a bad habit or a learned behavior.

My sis in law virtually SCREAMS when she talks on the cel phone. First check your volume, it may be set too high. If not then try to train yourself to speak softer, it won't be easy.

My DIL also talks very loud on the phone,we,ve told her about it many times,but she doesn't realize she is doing it she says.My son tells her she 's trying to make up for her size with her voice.She's barely 5' tall and tiny,but has a big voice as does her dd.I sometimes have to hold the phone away from my ear and/or tell her jokingly to use her "inside"voice.She takes all our comments very well and we mean no harm by them.
Kathi