Hearing (sense)
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Reverted 1 edit by [[Special:Contributions/Wavelength|Wavelength]]; Don't link marginally related junk article. ([[WP:TW|TW]])
{{redirect|Listening||Listen}}
'''Hearing''' (or '''audition''') is one of the traditional five [[sense]]s. It is the ability to perceive [[sound]] by detecting vibrations via an organ such as the [[ear]]. The inability to hear is called [[deafness]].
In humans and other vertebrates, hearing is performed primarily by the [[auditory system]]: [[vibration|vibrations]] are detected by the [[ear]] and transduced into nerve impulses that are perceived by the [[brain]] (primarily in the [[Temporal_lobe|temporal lobe]]). Like [[touch]], audition requires sensitivity to the movement of molecules in the world outside the organism. Both hearing and touch are types of mechanosensation.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Kung C. | title = A possible unifying principle for mechanosensation | journal = Nature | url = http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v436/n7051/full/nature03896.html | volume = 436 | issue = 7051 | pages = 647–654 | date = 2005 Aug 4 | doi = 10.1038/nature03896}}</ref>
== Hearing tests ==
{{Main|Hearing test}}
Hearing can be measured by behavioral tests using an [[audiometer]]. Electrophysiological tests of hearing can provide accurate measurements of hearing thresholds even in unconscious subjects. Such tests include [[auditory brainstem response|auditory brainstem evoked potentials]] (ABR), [[otoacoustic emissions]] (OAE) and electrocochleography (EchoG). Technical advances in these tests have allowed hearing screening for infants to become widespread.
== Hearing underwater ==
Hearing threshold and the ability to localize sound sources are reduced underwater, in which the speed of sound is faster than in air. Underwater hearing is by [[bone conduction]], and localization of sound appears to depend on differences in amplitude detected by bone conduction.<ref>{{cite journal | author = Shupak A. Sharoni Z. Yanir Y. Keynan Y. Alfie Y. Halpern P. | title = Underwater Hearing and Sound Localization with and without an Air Interface | url = http://otology-neurotology.com/pt/re/otoneuroto/abstract.00129492-200501000-00023.htm;jsessionid=Hn3GlTRJcB530CTrCxLlgrJLhv6WyCvpgcBmC0FLJCLWgY5yckpm!1138671057!181195629!8091!-1?index=1&database=ppvovft&results=1&count=10&searchid=1&nav=search | journal = Otology & Neurotology | volume = 26 | issue = 1 | pages = 127–130 | date = 2005 Jan. | doi = 10.1097/00129492-200501000-00023}}</ref>
== Hearing in animals ==
Not all sounds are normally audible to all animals. Each species has a range of normal hearing for both loudness (amplitude) and pitch ([[frequency]]). Many animals use sound to communicate with each other, and hearing in these species is particularly important for survival and reproduction. In species that use sound as a primary means of communication, hearing is typically most acute for the range of pitches produced in calls and speech.
Frequencies capable of being heard by humans are called [[Audio frequency|audio]] or [[sonic]]. The range is typically considered to be between 15Hz and 20,000Hz.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://hypertextbook.com/facts/2003/ChrisDAmbrose.shtml | title = Frequency Range of Human Hearing | work = The Physics Factbook}}</ref> Frequencies higher than audio are referred to as [[ultrasound|ultrasonic]], while frequencies below audio are referred to as [[infrasound|infrasonic]]. Some [[microbat|bat]]s use ultrasound for [[Animal echolocation|echo location]] while in flight. [[Dog]]s are able to hear ultrasound, which is the principle of 'silent' [[dog whistle]]s. [[Snake]]s sense infrasound through their bellies, and [[whale]]s, [[giraffe]]s and [[elephant]]s use it for communication.
==References==
<references/>
== See also ==
* [[Audiogram]]
* [[Audiometry]]
* [[Auditory illusion]]
* [[Auditory brainstem response]] (ABR) test
* [[Auditory scene analysis]]
* [[Auditory system]]
* [[Cochlear implant]]
* [[Equal-loudness contour]]
* [[Hearing impairment]]
* [[Hearing range]]
* [[Missing fundamental]]
* [[Music]]
* [[Music and the brain]]
* [[Presbycusis]]
* [[Tinnitus]]
==External links==
*[http://www.egopont.com/hearing_tests.php Egopont hearing range test]
{{Sensory_system}}
[[Category:Hearing| ]]
[[Category:Sound]]
[[bn:শ্রবণ]]
[[ca:Oïda]]
[[cs:Sluch]]
[[da:Høresans]]
[[de:Auditive Wahrnehmung]]
[[es:Audición]]
[[eo:Aŭdo]]
[[eu:Entzumen]]
[[fr:Ouïe]]
[[id:Pendengaran]]
[[ko:청각]]
[[he:שמיעה]]
[[lt:Klausa]]
[[nl:Horen]]
[[ja:聴覚]]
[[pl:Słuch]]
[[pt:Audição]]
[[ro:Auz]]
[[ru:Слух]]
[[simple:Hearing]]
[[sk:Sluch]]
[[fi:Kuuloaisti]]
[[sv:Hörsel]]
[[th:การได้ยิน]]
[[fiu-vro:Kuuldminõ]]
[[zh:听觉]]