diff --git a/code/game/sound.dm b/code/game/sound.dm
index 0fe756eca5..84abfeeae4 100644
--- a/code/game/sound.dm
+++ b/code/game/sound.dm
@@ -25,10 +25,23 @@ var/list/page_sound = list('sound/effects/pageturn1.ogg', 'sound/effects/pagetur
 		var/mob/M = P
 		if(!M || !M.client)
 			continue
-		if(get_dist(M, turf_source) <= (world.view + extrarange) * 3)
+		
+		var/distance = get_dist(M, turf_source)
+		if(distance <= (world.view + extrarange) * 3)
 			var/turf/T = get_turf(M)
+			
 			if(T && T.z == turf_source.z)
-				M.playsound_local(turf_source, soundin, vol, vary, frequency, falloff)
+				//check that the air can transmit sound
+				var/datum/gas_mixture/environment = T.return_air()
+				if (!environment || environment.return_pressure() < SOUND_MINIMUM_PRESSURE)
+					if (distance > 1) 
+						continue
+					
+					var/new_frequency = 32000 + (frequency - 32000)*0.75	//lower the frequency a bit. very rudimentary
+					var/new_volume = vol*0.5								//muffle the sound, like we're hearing through contact
+					M.playsound_local(turf_source, soundin, new_volume, vary, new_frequency, falloff)
+				else
+					M.playsound_local(turf_source, soundin, vol, vary, frequency, falloff)
 
 var/const/FALLOFF_SOUNDS = 2
 var/const/SURROUND_CAP = 255
diff --git a/code/modules/mob/living/say.dm b/code/modules/mob/living/say.dm
index 4fd99b4293..3344a9e210 100644
--- a/code/modules/mob/living/say.dm
+++ b/code/modules/mob/living/say.dm
@@ -1,4 +1,3 @@
-#define SAY_MINIMUM_PRESSURE 10
 var/list/department_radio_keys = list(
 	  ":r" = "right ear",	"#r" = "right ear",		".r" = "right ear",
 	  ":l" = "left ear",	"#l" = "left ear",		".l" = "left ear",
@@ -112,7 +111,7 @@ var/list/department_radio_keys = list(
 	var/datum/gas_mixture/environment = T.return_air()
 	if(environment)
 		var/pressure = environment.return_pressure()
-		if(pressure < SAY_MINIMUM_PRESSURE)
+		if(pressure < SOUND_MINIMUM_PRESSURE)
 			italics = 1
 			message_range = 1
 			
diff --git a/code/setup.dm b/code/setup.dm
index 55c1510234..e337d651f2 100644
--- a/code/setup.dm
+++ b/code/setup.dm
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@
 #define HUMAN_NEEDED_OXYGEN	MOLES_CELLSTANDARD*BREATH_PERCENTAGE*0.16
 	//Amount of air needed before pass out/suffocation commences
 
+#define SOUND_MINIMUM_PRESSURE 10
+
 // Pressure limits.
 #define HAZARD_HIGH_PRESSURE 550	//This determins at what pressure the ultra-high pressure red icon is displayed. (This one is set as a constant)
 #define WARNING_HIGH_PRESSURE 325 	//This determins when the orange pressure icon is displayed (it is 0.7 * HAZARD_HIGH_PRESSURE)