I'm so glad someone took the time to explain this and I no longer think I'm insane! Well, not because of the Yanny or Laurel debate at least. Thankfully science has stepped in to save the day and explain the reason why some people hear Yanny, some hear Laurel, and others hear both!
In the article posted by TIME an audiologist explains everything and it pretty much comes down to one main factor.
“This all comes down to the brain,” says Dr. Kevin Franck, director of audiology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear. “The fact that brains go in one way and some brains go in the other means that we’re all just wired a bit differently based on our experience.
Additionally, other factors like how well you hear and the computer or headphones you used to listen to the clip influence your brain's interpretation of the sounds, perceiving Yanny or Laurel. I first heard Yanny on my computer and when I reproduced the clip on air to share with listeners I heard Laurel.
What do you hear?