Absolute Threshold of Hearing

The absolute threshold of hearing (ATH) is the minimum sound level of a pure tone that an average ear with normal hearing can hear with no other sound present. The absolute threshold relates to the sound that can just be heard by the organism. The absolute threshold is not a discrete point, and is therefore classed as the point at which a response is elicited a specified percentage of the time. This is also known as the auditory threshold.

The threshold of hearing is generally reported as the RMS sound pressure of 20 µPa (micropascals) = 2×10−5 pascal (Pa). It is approximately the quietest sound a young human with undamaged hearing can detect at 1,000 Hz. The threshold of hearing is frequency dependent and it has been shown that the ear's sensitivity is best at frequencies between 1 kHz and 5 kHz.

Read more about Absolute Threshold Of Hearing:  Psychophysical Methods For Measuring Thresholds, Hysteresis Effect, Psychometric Function of Absolute Hearing Threshold, Minimal Audible Field (MAF) Vs Minimal Audible Pressure (MAP), Temporal Summation, Frequency Variation

Famous quotes containing the words absolute, threshold and/or hearing:

    An absolute can only be given in an intuition, while all the rest has to do with analysis. We call intuition here the sympathy by which one is transported into the interior of an object in order to coincide with what there is unique and consequently inexpressible in it. Analysis, on the contrary, is the operation which reduces the object to elements already known.
    Henri Bergson (1859–1941)

    I had a good talk with Alcott this afternoon. He is certainly the youngest man of his age we have seen,—just on the threshold of life. When I looked at his gray hairs, his conversation sounded pathetic; but I looked again, and they reminded me of the gray dawn.
    Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)

    Orpheus with his Lute made Trees,
    And the Mountaine tops that freeze,
    Bow themselves when he did sing.
    To his Musicke, Plants and Flowers
    Ever spring; as Sunne and Showres,
    There had been a lasting Spring.
    Every thing that heard him play,
    Even the Billowes of the Sea,
    Hung their heads, and then lay by.
    In sweet Musicke is such Art,
    Killing care, and griefe of heart,
    Fall asleepe, or hearing dye.
    William Shakespeare (1564–1616)