What is a side-tone in telephony?

A side-tone in telephony refers to the audible feedback a person hears of their own voice while speaking on the phone. This feature helps callers monitor their own volume and ensures they are speaking clearly and at an appropriate level. It is typically generated by a small amount of the speaker's voice being routed back into their earpiece during a call. Proper side-tone levels can enhance the overall communication experience by providing a natural conversational feel.