Audiometry

[Ciel_Rouge]

I was wondering if there is a specific kind of software or a CD or something that would enable one to measure one's own sense of hearing. Many sources claim that a normal range of a healthy adult is 20 Hz to 20 kHz and the rest is considered infra- or ultrasounds. However, many earphones and speakers have parameters exceeding that. If we cannot hear it, why are they capable of that? Therefore, I was unsuccesfully looking for a file or something that says: this sound is 20 kHz and it will be followed by 25 kHz, 30 kHz etc. - if I can hear it, it means my upper treshold is actually 30 etc. Have you ever found something like that?

Also, I was wondering about the frequency range of instruments. I would very much like to see a nice chart stating that a grand piano goes from this many Hz up to this many kHz, a violin has this range, a viola has another etc. Any help on this one?

Finally, a question that goes to dog owners I guess. Some people use "silent" whistles which emit ultrasounds heard by their canine companions. What frequency are those whistles? Is it remotely possible for the OWNER to hear it as well?

[DavidRoss]

Such things are available--HERE is a website for you.

[mahler10th]

Such things are available--HERE is a website for you.

Thanks David, this is to interest of me also.

[SonicMan46]

I was wondering if there is a specific kind of software or a CD or something that would enable one to measure one's own sense of hearing. Many sources claim that a normal range of a healthy adult is 20 Hz to 20 kHz and the rest is considered infra- or ultrasounds. However, many earphones and speakers have parameters exceeding that. If we cannot hear it, why are they capable of that?

Also, I was wondering about the frequency range of instruments. I would very much like to see a nice chart stating that a grand piano goes from this many Hz up to this many kHz, a violin has this range, a viola has another etc. Any help on this one?

Finally, a question that goes to dog owners I guess. Some people use "silent" whistles which emit ultrasounds heard by their canine companions. What frequency are those whistles? Is it remotely possible for the OWNER to hear it as well?

Hello & welcome to the GMG Forum - I guess Google can be your friend! 

Below a chart on the range of hearing in some animals, including the dog - so, if a 'dog whistle' is rated at say 30 kHz, then humans will not be able to detect the sound (as you already point out); also, keep in mind that as humans age and/or listen to loud noises (like a live rock band), those upper frequencies will be lost, e.g. such individuals might hear just up to 15 kHz.

Also below, another chart of 'musical instrument' frequencies, both the base frequencies produced and the harmonics, which are critical in giving a given instrument some of its sound 'uniqueness' - harmonics are important in medical ultrasound - I'm a radiologist specializing in body imaging and covered abdominal ultrasound yesterday - as an example, we examine an abdomen usually w/ a 3.5 to 4.5 MHz transducer (can't hear that sound!) - however, the interaction of these sound waves in the body produce second & third order harmonies (i.e. twice or 3x the fundamental frequency) - the returning harmonics can be detected by the transducer and used to produce the anatomic image w/ often marked improvement - if interested, take a look HERE - 

[Ciel_Rouge]

I found a good one, but BE CAREFUL not to damage your ears or equipment:

http://www.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/hearing.html