“Welcome to our Fun Facts page. I hope you enjoy reading some interesting articles and others that will bring you some laughs. Hearing has typically been thought of as just “listening,” but over time, we’ve learned so much! It affects our cognition (thinking ability), our sense of direction, our balance, and so much more. Read on … I hope you enjoy!”

– Dimitri

Did You Know?

Your Hearing Range Shrinks with Age?

As people age, they gradually lose the ability to hear high-frequency sounds, a process known as presbycusis, which is why children can hear high-pitched noises that adults cannot.

Different Animals Hear Different Frequencies? (Dogs, Cats, and Elephants)
Dogs can hear between 40 Hz to 60,000 Hz, much higher than humans (20 Hz to 20,000 Hz).

Cats have an even greater range: 48 Hz to 85,000 Hz!

Elephants can detect infrasound as low as 14 Hz, which helps them communicate over long distances.
Read more: https://www.ifaw.org/journal/animals-best-hearing-world

People Can Really Hear Colors or Taste Sounds?
Synesthesia is a neurological condition where individuals experience cross-sensory perceptions, such as “hearing” colors or associating sounds with specific tastes.
Read more: https://www.uwlax.edu/globalassets/offices-services/urc/jur-online/pdf/2021/murray.rya n.psy.pdf

Your Ears Help You Stay Balanced?
The vestibular system in the inner ear detects head movements and helps maintain balance, which is why inner ear infections can cause dizziness.
Read more: https://www.britannica.com/science/ear/The-physiology-of-balance-vestibular-function

Which Animals Have Directional Hearing?
Owls have asymmetrical ear placement, helping them pinpoint sounds precisely in the dark.
Read more: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11699225/

Some snakes “hear” by sensing vibrations through their jawbones.
Read more: https://www.britannica.com/animal/reptile/Hearing?

What About Those Fish & Frogs?
Some fish, like goldfish, can hear infrared sounds through their swim bladder.
Read more: https://academic.oup.com/icesjms/article/78/7/2325/6307377

Frogs lack external ears, but they pick up sound vibrations through their skin and special bones.
Read more: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC34343/