Dogs have sensitive hearing, especially when it comes to ultrasonic frequencies. While humans can’t hear these high-pitched sounds, dogs can easily pick them up. However, when it comes to infrasonic waves, which are low-frequency sounds below the range of human hearing, dogs may not be able to hear them but they can ‘feel’ them.
Signs a Dog Hears Infrasonic Sound Waves
Dogs can hear sounds ranging from 40 Hz to 60,000 Hz, so they are less sensitive to low-frequency noises compared to humans. While dogs may not hear infrasonic sounds, they may be able to detect them through vibrations. Dogs may show signs of hearing infrasonic sound waves by stopping and listening, tilting their heads, changing the position of their ears, and standing in an alert posture. They may feel the vibrations through their whiskers or paws and show signs of alarm or seek a safe place.
Body Language
Dogs may not hear infrasonic sounds, but they can sense them as low vibrations in the air. Watch out for signs such as staring, alertness, head tilting, listening, and changes in ear position. Dogs may also seek reassurance from their owners, look for a hiding place, lick their lips anxiously, raise a paw, or have raised hackles.
A History of Infrasonic Sounds and Hearing
The study of sound and its properties dates back to ancient times. Infrasonic sound is a low-frequency sound wave that causes vibrations in the air or ground. The amplitude, or height, of the sound wave determines its volume and the amount of vibration it produces. While humans and dogs can’t hear these low-frequency sounds, they can still feel the vibrations they create.
The Science of Infrasonic Sounds
Humans have a narrower range of hearing compared to dogs. Infrasonic frequencies are below 20 Hz, which is below the range of human hearing. However, both humans and dogs can feel the vibrations caused by low-frequency sound waves. Examples include feeling the bass at a rock concert or the vibrations from an erupting volcano.
Training a Dog to Hear Infrasonic Sounds
While it may be easier to train an elephant to detect and react to infrasonic noises, it’s still possible to train a dog. Reward-based methods work best, where the dog is rewarded when they show signs of feeling the vibration. Over time, the dog can be trained to perform specific actions when they sense the vibrations, such as barking to raise the alarm.
“Dogs may not hear infrasonic sound, but they can feel it.”
Tips & Things to Know
1️⃣ Dogs can hear ultrasonic frequencies, but they are less sensitive to low-frequency or bass noises compared to humans. They may be able to feel infrasonic sound waves rather than hearing them.
2️⃣ When dogs sense infrasonic sound waves, they may exhibit certain body language signs such as staring, alertness, head tilting, and changes in ear position. They may also seek reassurance from their owner or seek a hiding place if they feel alarmed.
3️⃣ It is possible to train a dog to detect and react to infrasonic noises using reward-based methods. By associating the vibration caused by the infrasonic sound with a specific action, such as barking, the dog can learn to respond to this type of sound.
Frequently Asked Questions, Answered ✅
1. Can dogs hear infrasonic sound waves?
– Dogs are not likely to hear infrasonic sounds, but they may be able to feel them.
2. How do dogs react to infrasonic sound waves?
– Dogs may stop and listen, cock their head to one side, change the position of their ears, and stand in an alert posture when detecting vibration from infrasonic sound waves.
3. What are the signs that a dog has sensed a change in the air due to infrasonic sound waves?
– Staring, alertness, head tilting, listening, dropping or raising ears.
4. How do infrasonic sound waves affect dogs?
– Dogs may become confused or alarmed by the subsonic rumbling of infrasonic noise, seeking reassurance from the owner, seeking a hiding place, licking lips as if anxious, raising a paw, or raising hackles.
5. Can dogs be trained to detect and react to infrasonic noises?
– In theory, dogs can be trained to detect and react to infrasonic noises using reward-based methods, where they sense the vibration caused by the noise and perform a specific action, such as barking, in response.
