Range of hearing

Beginner

Humans hear about 20 Hz to 20 kHz.

Humans hear about 20 Hz to 20 kHz, most sensitive at 2–5 kHz; the upper limit falls with age. The threshold of pain is about 120 dB.

Worked example

Dogs hear up to 45 kHz.

Common mistake

Hearing damage begins at long exposure over 85 dB.

In more detail

Humans typically hear frequencies from about 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Hearing sensitivity is greatest in the middle of this range and declines with age.

Audio codecs discard sounds that people cannot hear to save space.
Hearing tests check the range of frequencies a person can detect.
Audio engineers design equipment to cover the 20 Hz to 20 kHz range that most young people can hear.

Does the range change with age?

Yes. The upper limit typically falls over time, especially above about 10 kHz.

Can we hear infrasound?

Not normally, though very loud infrasound may be felt.

Does everyone hear up to 20 kHz?

No. High-frequency hearing falls with age and exposure to loud noise, so the upper limit is often much lower.