What frequencies can the human ear hear?

What frequencies can the human ear hear?

• A. Between 60 and 600 cycles per second
• B. Between 20 and 20,000 cycles per second
• C. Between 2 and 200 cycles per second
• D. Between 200 and 2,000 cycles per second

Answer: (B)

Frequencies are measured in hertz, or cycles per second. The typical audible range for a healthy young ear spans about 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. This window covers the low bass tones and the high treble notes found in most music, and it includes common reference pitches—for example, concert A at 440 Hz sits within this range. As people age or with exposure to loud sounds, the upper end often shifts downward, but 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz is the standard benchmark for what most people can hear. Ranges like 60–600 Hz, 2–200 Hz, or 200–2,000 Hz miss significant portions of the spectrum. They are either too narrow or omit important bass and high-pitched sounds, which makes them not representative of what the human ear can hear in general. That’s why the 20–20,000 Hz range is the best answer.

Frequencies are measured in hertz, or cycles per second. The typical audible range for a healthy young ear spans about 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. This window covers the low bass tones and the high treble notes found in most music, and it includes common reference pitches—for example, concert A at 440 Hz sits within this range. As people age or with exposure to loud sounds, the upper end often shifts downward, but 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz is the standard benchmark for what most people can hear.

Ranges like 60–600 Hz, 2–200 Hz, or 200–2,000 Hz miss significant portions of the spectrum. They are either too narrow or omit important bass and high-pitched sounds, which makes them not representative of what the human ear can hear in general. That’s why the 20–20,000 Hz range is the best answer.