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What range of sound frequencies can the human ear detect?
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Mechanoreception
In human skin, specialized nerve endings known as Meissner's corpuscles (or tactile corpuscles) are sensitive to touch. They are one of several different types of mechanoreceptors found in human skin.
The human ear is capable of detecting sound frequencies ranging from approximately 20 to 20,000 hertz (Hz).1234
While this represents the typical audible range for healthy young individuals, sensitivity is not uniform across these frequencies. The human ear is most sensitive to sounds between 1,000 and 4,000 Hz, with general high sensitivity observed between 500 and 10,000 Hz. As part of the natural aging process, individuals often experience a reduction in their ability to detect sounds at the upper limit of this frequency range.21
Sounds with frequencies exceeding 20,000 Hz are classified as ultrasonic; while humans cannot hear them, many other mammals are capable of detecting these higher frequencies.24