Evaluation of the Speech Intelligibility of the Ear of Dionysius in Syracuse

Abstract

The Ear of Dionysius cavern has frequently been explored for its unique acoustic properties. According to legend, it amplifies whispers and soft sounds so that they can be heard through a narrow tunnel 35 m above the ground. The legend refers to Dionysius, who ruled Syracuse between 432 and 376 BC and was supposedly able to hear the whispered secrets of prisoners chained in the cave. Acoustic measurements, simulations, and intelligibility listening tests were conducted to investigate the validity of this legend. The results were analyzed and compared to evaluate the definition (D₅₀) and speech transmission index at different locations in the cave. The results show that speech intelligibility in the Ear of Dionysius cavern is rated “fair” overall according to the ISO 9921 criteria, with better values in the central zone of the space. This fair rating suggests that the legend of the tyrant Dionysius eavesdropping on prisoners’ conversations may not be based in reality.