Hearing Test Tones and relative loudness

[Craig Maier]

You can get a rough idea of your audible acuity using the Diamond Cut Waves generator found under the Edit Menu (test with pure tones by setting the generator to sine wave):



250 Hz 12 dB SPL (Sound Pressure Level)

500 Hz 5 dB SPL

1000 Hz 2 dB SPL

2000 Hz 2 dB SPL

4000 Hz -5 dB SPL

8000 Hz -13 dB SPL

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To avoid production of hearing loss, stay away from sound levels which peak out higher than 100 dB. Steady state sound levels should be kept below 85 dB to preserve your hearing. (Speech falls between 250 Hz. to 4000 Hz.

The Normal dB SPL amplitude range is generally considered to be over the range between -10 dB and 20 dB (human hearing dynamic range).
The Audio Spectrum is generally defined 20 Hz to 20 kHz (20,000 Hz). Signals below that are not able to be heard, however can be felt as vibrations (earthquakes)..

High-End audio systems {or hi-fi} should be able to reproduce signal (accurately in the range of 20 Hz to 20 kHz). Accuracy implies that the signal applied is reproduced within +/- 3 dB of a straight line drawn between 20 to 20 KHz. 1.0 dB is generally considered the smallest delta in loudness that humans can discern.

(440 Hz is A below middle C)

[Craig Maier]

The make waves generator includes a frequency sweep function. You can create a long sweep across the entire audio band from 20 Hz to 20 KHz and observe your response as you preview said signal. It's both interesting and surprising.