Genius-Idiot wrote:
From what I understand, there is the normal hearing apparatus, and then there is an additional bubble-like chamber in the bone which is suspected of providing additional sensitivity at higher pitches. I think it is this 'bubble' which causes my ability to hear muted TVs, flourescent lights, etc., despite damaged eardrums and a history of chronic ear infections.
That's really interesting information.
Actually, you know, I've done something like that with the car radio. My significant other will turn the car radio volume all the way down (just before the off position) and I'll start singing a song. When we turn the volume up, I'm singing along with the radio.
I don't have eardrum damage though, or at least none that I know about.
The other information on the Nyquist frequency is also very interesting. I have no idea if it's my ears, or if it's my equipment. I tried switching speakers. With my other set of speakers I can:
a) hear 17.7 kHz, but it takes on that same lowered quality of 18.8
b) notice that 17.7 kHz and above seem to be two tones that are an "octave" apart (for lack of a better term). One tone (the lower) is clearly audible. The second tone is something closer to a vaguely discernable sound that is more "pressure" than sound.
c) vaguely hear a lowered sound, and get a sense of pressure from 22.4 kHz
d) state that I'm not sure if it's my hearing, or an expectation, but can conclude that my speakers make a difference. I won't claim to know what my speakers are doing, however.
cowlypso wrote:
Oh, and Spike (the cat) can hear all the ones on the second site. He can hear the first three on the first site (with the laptop fan running). He might be able to hear more, but he's not showing any indication that he is. The others, he was looking around and twitching his ears.
I'm really not sure my cat is too happy with all the high pitched sounds. Here she is, trying to sleep in my spot on the bed, and I'm making her ears twitch.