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The
dynamic range of hearing i.e. area between the quiet threshold and
the threshold of pain is a plane in which audible sounds can be
displayed. In its normal form, the dynamic range of hearing is
plotted with frequency on a logarithmic scale as the abscissa, and
sound pressure level in dB on a linear scale as the ordinate. This
means that
two logarithmic scales are used because the level is related to the
logarithm of sound pressure. The critical-band rate may also be used
as the abscissa. This scale is closer to the characteristics of our
hearing system than frequency.
The
usual display of dynamic range of hearing is shown in figure 1.
On the right, the ordinate scales are sound intensity in Watt per
square meter and sound pressure in Pascal. Sound pressure level is
given for a free-field condition relative to 2x10-5
Pa. Sound intensity level is plotted relative to 10-12
W/m2.
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