Dogs can hear sounds that humans cannot perceive because of their ability to detect higher frequencies than those detected by the human ear. Indeed, dogs have better hearing in high frequencies thanks to a greater number of sensory auditory cells in their inner ear.
Dogs have a pinna that is much larger, mobile, and flexible than that of humans. This allows them to capture ultra-fine sounds and even very distant ones. Inside, the difference continues: their auditory canal is deeper and L-shaped; this enhances their ability to filter and amplify sounds. Even their eardrum membrane responds better to high frequencies. Finally, the cochlea and inner hair cells of dogs are specially adapted to perceive sounds of very high frequency, completely imperceptible to our human ears.
Dogs perceive a much wider range of sounds than we do. Typically, a human hears frequencies between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz (or 20 kHz), but this often decreases with age. In comparison, dogs can pick up higher frequencies, generally between 40 Hz and 65,000 Hz (65 kHz) depending on the breed and age. This ability to hear ultrasound—those very high-pitched sounds that are imperceptible to us—allows them, for example, to detect the tiny noises emitted by rodents in the grass or to hear certain silent whistles clearly that are inaudible to the human ear.
Dogs descend from wild ancestors that had to spot their prey or quickly detect predators. The development of a keen sense of hearing provided a significant advantage for survival and hunting. Hearing the slightest rustle of a mouse or the quiet crackling of twigs under a predator's paws became crucial. Meanwhile, humans had neither the need nor the interest in perceiving these high-pitched sounds. As a result, dogs retained this ability and even refined their sensitivity to high frequencies. Even today, this auditory talent remains useful, even if they no longer need to hunt for dinner.
Thanks to their ability to detect sounds that are inaudible to us, dogs are valuable allies in many practical areas. Rescue dogs, for example, quickly detect distant cries or whimpers after natural disasters, where the human ear perceives nothing. The same goes for police dogs, which are capable of spotting very discreet suspicious noises during delicate interventions. At home, their hearing allows them to be alerted to an arrival or danger long before we realize it. In some cases, dogs are even trained to respond to specific ultrasonic frequencies, as in the case of dog whistles, which make them attentive while remaining completely silent to humans.
The exceptional hearing ability of dogs is one of the reasons why some anti-barking devices or training reminders use ultrasonic sounds that are inaudible to humans but perfectly heard by dogs.
The mobile ears of dogs, capable of pivoting independently from one another, allow them to precisely locate the source of a sound, even if it is very distant or at a very low volume.
Some dogs are used to anticipate and alert in case of an epileptic seizure or other medical emergencies, partly due to their hypersensitive hearing, which allows them to detect subtle signals that are imperceptible to humans.
Similar to human fingerprints, each dog has a unique ear shape that can slightly influence its ability to hear certain sound frequencies.
Yes, certain high-pitched, loud, or ultrasonic sounds can be unpleasant or even painful for dogs due to their heightened sensitivity. Sounds like improperly used ultrasonic whistles or very sharp alarms can cause stress or discomfort in our four-legged companions.
The superior hearing of dogs is regularly utilized in missions such as rescue operations, explosives detection, and assistance for the hearing impaired. Their ability to perceive ultrasonic sounds also allows for the creation of specific tools designed for dog training.
Yes, just like in humans, a dog's hearing can gradually decrease with age. This hearing loss is natural and may make your dog less responsive to certain sounds or verbal commands. Regular veterinary check-ups can help to identify the onset of hearing problems early.
In general, common low-intensity ultrasonic sounds, such as those used in some training whistles, are not harmful to dogs. However, prolonged or high-intensity exposure may lead to auditory discomfort or stress in the animal. It is therefore recommended to use this type of sound moderately and to monitor your dog's behavior for any unusual reactions.
Although it depends on many factors such as the environment and the age of the dog, generally, a dog can hear sounds at distances up to four to five times greater than those of humans and can clearly detect ultrasonic frequencies that are imperceptible to our ear.
Although all dogs generally have an excellent sense of hearing, certain breeds such as German Shepherds, Border Collies, or wolf dogs often possess particularly acute hearing suited to their original activities (guarding, hunting, or herding work).
A dog can react to sounds in the ultrasonic range, which are completely inaudible to humans. This can come from electronic devices, such as ultrasonic remote controls, or from natural sounds (insects, rodents) that we simply cannot hear.
Yes, just like humans, older dogs can gradually lose their hearing sensitivity and their ability to distinguish high frequencies, including ultrasound. This age-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis, is perfectly natural.
The tilt of a dog's head is a way to enhance sound localization and better identify its source and frequency. It is a posture of active listening that your dog instinctively adopts in order to accurately analyze intriguing or unusual sounds.
Dogs generally start to perceive frequencies beyond 20,000 Hertz, where human hearing capabilities often reach their maximum limit. Some dogs can hear sounds up to around 45,000 Hertz, well beyond the usual human auditory spectrum.
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