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The Secret of Hearing: Do You Know How Quiet the Quietest Sound Is?
In daily life, we often face sounds that may seem insignificant, but science tells us that these sounds actually have extremely important significance. The process of hearing is not just a simple response of the physical senses, but a complex system intertwined with the brain's cognition, emotion and personal experience. This article explores the absolute thresholds of hearing and provides an in-depth analysis of the surprising world of silence.
Absolute threshold is defined as the lowest energy level at which an organism detects a stimulus, such as sound, light, or touch. This concept allows us to understand how the human senses function in a variety of contexts.
Absolute threshold of sound
The absolute threshold of sound refers to the lowest sound level that a normal-hearing ear can detect without interference from other sounds. Specifically, this threshold is typically defined as a root-mean-square sound pressure of 20 μPa (micropascals) at a frequency of approximately 1,000 Hz, which is the quietest sound a young person can hear.
Interestingly, individuals vary in their sensitivity to certain sounds; for example, the threshold for hearing one's own name is generally lower. Research shows that when the ear hears one's own name, certain areas of the brain react more significantly than when one hears a random name.
Absolute thresholds for other senses
In addition to hearing, the absolute thresholds of other senses are equally important. For example, the absolute threshold of vision is the minimum number of photons that the human eye can detect. A 1942 study showed that the human eye, fully adapted to darkness, was able to detect as few as 5 to 14 photons under certain circumstances. In research, the sensitivity of the human eye depends on the wavelength of light and the duration of stimulation.
The detection threshold of smell is the lowest concentration of a certain odor compound, which is limited by the shape, polarity and other characteristics of the compound, and requires a large number of experiments to measure.
Sensory processing disorder
Some people have abnormally high or low sensory thresholds, a condition that can affect quality of life and is called sensory processing disorder. When sensory input is excessive or insufficient, it may cause them to be overly sensitive to stimuli or ignore them completely. This is related to the situation of autistic patients and gives people a new understanding of hearing, touch and other feelings.
The human sensory system is not just a simple biological response, but also a network of emotions and experiences, allowing each individual to experience the world in a unique way.
Taking all these factors into consideration, we can’t help but wonder, in this silent world, what kind of feeling does the weakest voice become?
