Auditory phonetics is the branch of phonetics that focuses on how humans perceive and process sounds. It studies the auditory characteristics of speech sounds, including pitch, loudness, and duration. This field examines how the ear and brain work together to interpret these sounds, allowing us to understand spoken language. Researchers in auditory phonetics analyze how different sounds are distinguished and recognized by listeners. They explore factors such as frequency and intensity, which influence how we perceive speech. Understanding these processes helps in areas like speech therapy, language learning, and the development of speech recognition technology.