Ultraäänitaajuinen

Ultraäänitaajuinen refers to anything operating at or involving frequencies above the range of human hearing. Typically, the upper limit of human hearing is considered to be around 20 kilohertz (20,000 Hz). Therefore, ultrasound frequencies are generally defined as those greater than 20 kHz.

This frequency range is utilized in a wide variety of applications. In medicine, ultrasound imaging (sonography) uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal body structures. These waves are reflected by different tissues, and the returning echoes are processed to form a visual representation. Therapeutic ultrasound is another medical application, employing ultrasound to promote tissue healing or provide pain relief.

Beyond healthcare, ultrasound technology finds use in industrial settings for non-destructive testing, allowing inspectors to detect flaws within materials without causing damage. It is also employed in cleaning applications, where high-frequency vibrations agitate a liquid to dislodge contaminants. In animal behavior studies, ultrasound is used to communicate with or detect animals that can hear these higher frequencies, such as bats and some rodents. The precise frequency used in any given application can vary significantly depending on the intended purpose and the medium through which the sound is transmitted.