kuuldekünnis

Kuuldekünnis refers to the minimum sound intensity that a human ear can detect. It is the faintest sound that can be heard under specific conditions, typically measured in decibels (dB) at a specific frequency, usually 1000 Hz. This threshold is not constant for all individuals and can vary based on age, health, and exposure to noise.

The auditory system is incredibly sensitive, and the absolute lower limit of hearing is influenced by a complex interplay of physical, physiological, and psychological factors. For a young, healthy adult, the average kuuldekünnis is often considered to be 0 dB HL (hearing level). However, this is a standardized reference point, and individual hearing thresholds can fluctuate around this value.

Factors such as age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) can elevate the kuuldekünnis, meaning older individuals require a louder sound to detect it. Similarly, prolonged exposure to loud noises can cause noise-induced hearing loss, also raising the hearing threshold. The frequency of the sound also plays a role, as the ear is generally most sensitive to frequencies in the range of 2000-4000 Hz.

Understanding the kuuldekünnis is crucial in audiology for diagnosing hearing impairments and in fields like acoustics and sound engineering for setting sound levels and assessing noise pollution. It represents the boundary between silence and sound perception.