The ear’s full dynamic range exists only near 4 kHz

Evidence

The threshold of hearing varies with frequency. The ear is far more sensitive in the middle of its frequency range than at the high and low extremes. The lower curve in Figure 2.11 is the general shape of the average threshold of hearing curve for sinusoidal stimuli between 20 Hz and 20 kHz. The upper curve in the figure is the general shape of the threshold of pain, which also varies with frequency but not to such a great extent. It can be seen from the figure that the full 130 dB(SPL) range, or “dynamic range,” between the threshold of hearing and the threshold of pain exists at approximately 4 kHz but that the dynamic range available at lower and higher frequencies is considerably less. — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 612

It can be seen from the figure that the full 130 dB(SPL) range, or “dynamic range,” between the threshold of hearing and the threshold of pain exists at approximately 4 kHz, but that the dynamic range available at lower and higher frequencies is considerably less. — David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 600

Categorization

• XREF: Relevant to acoustic ecology - explains why speech and many important environmental sounds cluster in the mid-frequency region. — connects to: Outer ear canal resonance explains peak sensitivity near 4 kHz — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 2005; The ear canal acts as a quarter-wavelength resonator amplifying 3-4 kHz by 10 dB — Ville Pulkki, Matti Karjalainen, Communication Acoustics- An…, 728; Individual auditory nerve fibers cannot code the full hearing dynamic range — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 240 (+2 more)
• corroborated: 5 independent passages support this claim — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 612; David Howard, Jamie Angus, coustics and Psychoacoustics, 600

Broader Connections

• Normal hearing is most sensitive near 2 to 5 kHz #expands (0.72) — Professor Dr.-Ing. Hugo Fastl, Professor Dr.-Ing. Eberhard, Psychoacoustics- Facts and Models, 168