EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -Sounds of frequencies less than about 20 vibrations per second (20 Hz) cannot be detected by the human ear. Sounds of frequencies higher than about 20, 000 vibrations per second (20 kHz) are also not audible to the human ear. Thus, for the human ear, the range of audible frequencies is from 20 to 20, 000 Hz.

Detailed explanation-2: -Humans can detect sounds in a frequency range from about 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

Detailed explanation-3: -On the other side of the human hearing range, the highest possible frequency heard without discomfort is 20, 000Hz. While 20 to 20, 000Hz forms the absolute borders of the human hearing range, our hearing is most sensitive in the 2000-5000 Hz frequency range.

Detailed explanation-4: -The cochlea is only stimulated by a limited range of frequencies. This means that humans can only hear certain frequencies. The range of normal human hearing is 20 Hertz (Hz) to 20, 000 Hz (20 kHz). The hairs in the human cochlea have different lengths and vibrate at different frequencies of sound.

Detailed explanation-5: -The response of the ear is governed, in part, by the mass and elasticity of the eardrum, muscles and ligaments, bones, and fluid and structures in the inner ear. Elasticity opposes low frequency sounds, while mass opposition increases as frequency increases. So both mass and elasticity set limits for frequency range.