It’s been said that dogs hearing is far better than human hearing. But is that always true? In this blog post, we’ll explore how dogs hear differently from humans and the implications of this on their behaviour.
Frequency Range:
Dogs can hear a broader range of frequencies than humans. While humans can hear sounds ranging from 20Hz to 20,000Hz, dogs can hear sounds from 60Hz up to 65,000Hz. This means dogs can hear high-pitched sounds that humans cannot detect. This also explains why dogs may react to sounds humans cannot hear, such as a dog whistle.
Humans can hear slightly lower frequencies than dogs. We can hear pitches down to about 20 Hz, whereas dogs can hear to about 67 Hz. There was speculation in the past that large dogs can hear low frequencies better. A Poodle was the dog that could hear the lowest frequencies best, and St. Bernard came in last.
Distance:
Dogs can detect sounds from a greater distance than humans. This is because dogs have more prominent ears, which are also more mobile than human ears. Dogs have 18 muscles around their ears, allowing them to swivel their ears toward the direction of the sound and pick up even faint noises from afar.
Location:
In a study in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, A. W. Mills found that Humans can locate sounds more accurately than dogs. The “minimum audible angle” for us is 1° or less, whereas the minimal audible angle for dogs is 4°. Dogs will tilt their heads in that Instagram-worthy way to determine a sound’s location.
Dr. Stanley Coren, the author of How Dogs Think, indicates that sound location is one of the first abilities that dogs lose if they go deaf.
Selective Listening:
Dogs also have selective listening abilities, which means they can filter out background noise and focus on the sounds they are interested in. We can do the same – remember the last time you were in a busy restaurant with friends. Despite the sound of other patrons, dishes clattering, or background music, we can usually hear what our dining partners say. This ability is even greater for dogs, which is why dogs can hear their owner’s car pulling into the driveway even when surrounded by other noises.
Volume:
Depending on the frequency of the sound being emitted, some dogs hear sounds as much as four times quieter than humans. As a result, it may be more than just the frequency of the sound but the volume that our dog hears. Very loud sounds can cause dog hearing loss or injury.
Sound Fear:
Dogs are sensitive to loud noises like thunderstorms, fireworks, and gunshots. This is because they can hear these sounds much higher than humans. Dogs afraid of loud noises may exhibit trembling, pacing, and hiding behaviours. This can lead to separation anxiety in dogs, a common behavioural problem.
Impact on Separation Anxiety:
Separation anxiety is a common issue among dogs and can be caused by various factors. However, sound fear is one of the most common causes of separation anxiety. Dogs afraid of loud noises may associate being alone with the fear of loud noises. When left alone, this can lead to destructive behaviour, excessive barking, and other forms of anxiety.
Music:
Dogs may need to be more perceptive to notes on a scale due to their hearing range. As dogs can comprehend a broader range of frequencies than we can, the slight differences between 440hz and 490hz (the middle keys on a keyboard) may not be as apparent to dogs. On the other hand, humans have a much narrower frequency range, so these subtle differences are much more obvious to us.
Dogs can enjoy music just like humans, but the type of music they prefer may differ. Studies have shown that dogs prefer classical music and soft rock over heavy metal and rock music. Dogs are also more likely to relax and sleep when they listen to calming music.
Research suggests classical music can help dogs with separation anxiety. Owners consistently played classical tracks to their dogs – about three times a day for 20 minutes. The goal was for a dog to steadily become more tolerant of being left alone by linking being alone with feeling calm.
Conclusion
Dogs have a unique hearing ability to detect sounds at a higher frequency and distance than humans. While this is an advantage in many situations, it can also lead to anxiety and fear in dogs, particularly in response to loud noises. As a responsible dog owner, it’s essential to be aware of these differences and take steps to minimize the impact of sound fear on your dog’s behaviour.
