The Great Gatsby, before any words came through

I'd like to know if in this excerpt from the chapter V of The Great Gatsby the phrase "before any words came through" means "before I could perceive the meaning of the words":

The exhilarating ripple of her voice was a wild tonic in the rain. I had to follow the sound of it for a moment, up and down, with my ear alone before any words came through.

Thank you.