Dogs are known for having much keener senses than their owners, but just how much better than us are they at hearing? It’s not only that dogs can hear “better” than humans. They can hear a wider range of frequencies as well as detecting quieter sounds due to their predator past. So what exactly do dogs hear?
Dogs’ ears are anatomically different from humans and those differences aid their hearing superpower. Human ears are placed flat against the head, meaning that we hear best when sound is coming from our sides. The outer ear, also called the pinna, helps direct sound to our ears so we can hear better. Dogs on the other hand have ears placed on top of their head. This allows them to hear sounds from in front of them more acutely. Dogs with big ears that stand up straight hear the best because those large pinnas do the same thing as when you cup your hand around your ear to hear more clearly. Not only that, but they have approximately eighteen muscles to control the pinna alone. This allows them to swivel their ears around to triangulate where a sound is coming from and hear it better. Unlike humans, dogs can listen independently with each ear. So while they may hear one sound with their left ear, they can hear something totally different with their right. They can also “shut off” their inner ear to filter out noises that are distracting and focus on what they want to hear.
However, all dogs are not equipped with the best quality ears. Floppy ears, while extra adorable, can make it harder for dogs to hear as they “block” the ear canal from getting the most sound waves. Another issue some dogs face is extra-hairy ear canals. Both of these issues can also lead to an increased risk of ear infections which, if left untreated, can cause hearing loss.
Ever been startled when your dog suddenly perks up their ears and races to the door a full minute before the doorbell rings? Or maybe you’ve noticed your furry friend seems distressed by sounds you barely notice? There’s a reason for that, and it’s all about their incredible hearing abilities.
As a lifelong dog owner and pet blogger, I’ve always been fascinated by how differently our canine companions experience the world. Today I’m diving deep into one of the most common questions pet parents ask can dogs hear louder than humans?
The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think Let’s explore the fascinating world of canine hearing and how it compares to our own!
The Nature of Sound: Understanding What Dogs Actually Hear
Before we can really compare human and dog hearing we need to understand two key dimensions of sound
- Sound intensity (loudness) – measured in decibels (dB)
- Sound frequency (pitch) – measured in hertz (Hz)
Sound intensity is pretty straightforward – it’s how loud something is. A whisper might be around 10 dB, while an ambulance siren blasts at about 120 dB.
Frequency is trickier. It refers to how many cycles per second a sound wave goes through. Low frequencies produce deep sounds (like a tuba), while high frequencies create high-pitched sounds (like a bird chirping).
Here’s where things get interesting…
It’s Not About “Louder” – It’s About Different Hearing Ranges
Truth is, saying dogs hear “louder” than humans isn’t quite right. What’s really happening is more complex and fascinating.
According to Dr. Stanley Coren, author of “How Dogs Think,” the answer depends entirely on what sounds we’re talking about:
“The truth of the matter is that, for some sounds, a dog’s hearing is really hundreds of times better than ours, whereas for other sounds, dogs and humans have sound sensitivities that are very much the same.”
In fact, for certain sounds, human hearing can actually be MORE sensitive than dogs’! Wild, right?
Where Human Hearing Wins
Believe it or not, humans actually hear low-frequency sounds better than dogs do. Our ears are specially tuned to certain frequencies that were important for our evolutionary survival.
Also, we’re better at locating where sounds are coming from. Humans can tell the difference between two sounds that differ in location by just one degree, while dogs need about eight degrees of separation to tell the difference. So when it comes to figuring out exactly where a sound is coming from, we’ve got the edge!
Where Dogs and Humans Are Equal
Here’s something that might surprise you – dogs and humans have virtually identical hearing sensitivity for sounds that fall in the range of normal human speech (between 500 and 4,000 Hz).
That explains why your dog responds so well to your voice! They’re not just responding to your tone – they’re hearing the actual sounds of your speech just as clearly as another human would.
Where Dogs Leave Us in the Dust: High-Frequency Hearing
Now for the part where dogs truly shine – high-frequency sounds. This is where their hearing is legitimately HUNDREDS of times better than ours!
The average adult human can’t hear sounds above 20,000 Hz. Young children can hear a bit higher, but not by much. Dogs, however? They can hear sounds as high as 47,000 to 65,000 Hz!
To put this in perspective:
- The highest note on a standard piano is 4,186 Hz
- To reach the highest frequency a human can hear, you’d need to add 28 more keys to the right side of a piano
- For a dog’s maximum hearing range, you’d need to add 52 more keys!
And the most mind-blowing part? The last 24 of those keys would play notes completely inaudible to human ears. Dogs live in a world of sound that we can’t even imagine!
Dogs’ Hearing Sensitivity at Different Frequencies
At high frequencies (between 3,000 and 12,000 Hz), dogs can hear sounds that are between -5 dB and -15 dB. Since 0 dB is the threshold of human hearing, this means dogs can hear high-pitched sounds that are literally too quiet for us to detect.
And for sounds above 12,000 Hz? The difference becomes so extreme that comparing human and dog hearing becomes pointless – they’re just in a completely different league.
Why Did Dogs Evolve Such Amazing Hearing?
It all comes back to survival. Dogs descended from wolves, who often hunted small rodents like mice and voles. These tiny creatures make high-pitched squeaks and rustling sounds when moving through grass or leaves.
Being able to hear these high-frequency sounds meant the difference between dinner and going hungry! Over countless generations, only the wolves with superior high-frequency hearing survived and passed on their genes.
Interestingly, cats can hear sounds 5,000 to 10,000 Hz higher than dogs – probably because they relied even more heavily on catching small prey.
A Simple Experiment to Feel the Difference
Want to experience the difference between human and dog hearing sensitivity firsthand? Try this cool experiment:
- Make a “shh” sound, drawing it out like you’re asking someone to be quiet
- Now make a “sss” sound, like you’re imitating a snake
For most humans, the “shh” sound has a frequency just above 2,000 Hz – right where our hearing is most sensitive. The “sss” sound has a frequency closer to 8,000 Hz – where a dog’s hearing is most sensitive.
Notice how the “shh” sounds louder to you, even with the same effort? For your dog, it’s the opposite – the “sss” would sound louder!
Practical Implications of Dogs’ Superior Hearing
Understanding your dog’s amazing hearing abilities explains a lot of behaviors:
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Earthquake prediction: Some dogs may be able to predict earthquakes because they can hear the high-frequency sounds of rocks grinding against each other underground before the quake happens.
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Knowing when someone’s coming: When your dog barks at the door before anyone knocks, they’re not psychic – they just heard the car pull up or footsteps approaching long before you could.
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Distress from household appliances: Your vacuum cleaner or power drill might sound unbearably loud to your dog, and they might also hear high-pitched noises from these devices that are completely inaudible to you.
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Responding to dog whistles: “Silent” dog whistles work because they produce sounds in a frequency range dogs can hear but humans can’t.
How Scientists Test Dog Hearing
You might wonder how researchers figure all this out when they can’t exactly ask a dog, “Hey, can you hear this?”
Early studies trained dogs to press a lever under a speaker when they heard a sound. Today, it’s much easier thanks to the Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response (BAER) hearing test.
This test involves placing electrodes on a dog’s head and earphones in their ears. When sounds are played, researchers can see if the brain shows electrical activity – indicating the dog heard the sound. The best part? It doesn’t hurt at all and only takes a short time!
Age-Related Hearing Loss in Dogs
Just like humans, dogs can lose their hearing as they age or from other factors like severe ear infections. The BAER test can help determine the level of hearing loss.
Most dogs adapt remarkably well when their hearing starts to fail. You can still communicate effectively using body language and hand signals. And here’s a cool fact – the ability to detect high-pitched sounds is usually the last to go, so even if your senior dog can’t hear your voice anymore, they might still respond to a whistle!
Tips for Living with a Dog with Superior Hearing
Now that you understand your dog’s amazing hearing abilities, here are some tips to make life more comfortable for them:
- Reduce exposure to loud noises – What’s merely annoying to you might be painful for your dog
- Create quiet spaces – Give your dog somewhere to retreat during thunderstorms or fireworks
- Use their hearing to your advantage – High-pitched training clickers work great because dogs can hear them so well
- Be mindful of “silent” noises – Remember that your dog might be hearing things you can’t, like the high-frequency sounds from electronics
So, can dogs hear louder than humans? Well, not exactly. The truth is more nuanced and fascinating. For some sounds, we’re equals. For others, we have the advantage. But for high-pitched sounds, dogs have hearing abilities that are so superior to ours that it’s like they’re living in a different auditory universe.
Next time your dog tilts their head at seemingly nothing or barks at the door before anyone arrives, remember – they’re not being weird or psychic. They’re just tuned into a world of sound that exists beyond the reach of our human ears.
I don’t know about you, but I find that pretty amazing! Our dogs experience a richer, more detailed soundscape than we could ever imagine. It’s just one more reason to appreciate these incredible animals we share our lives with.
Have you noticed your dog responding to sounds you can’t hear? I’d love to hear your stories in the comments below!
Disclaimer: While this article uses information from scientific sources, I’m not a veterinarian or animal behaviorist. If you have concerns about your dog’s hearing, please consult with your veterinarian.
What Can Dogs Hear That We Can’t?
Dogs can hear about four times as well as humans, but what does that actually mean? Dogs can hear a wider range of frequencies, measured in hertz (Hz). Newborn humans can hear up to 20,000 Hz while dogs can hear up to 35,000 Hz. This translates to them being able to hear much higher pitches of sound than humans. Things like dog whistles or squeaker toys that are silent to humans emit sounds that are too high for us to hear but dogs can hear them quite easily. This also means that they can sometimes hear sounds emitted by electronics that we can’t, and might cause them agitation or discomfort. Dogs also hear sounds at lower decibels than humans, meaning they can hear softer sounds than use. This also means that loud sounds are “louder” to dogs. This is a common explanation for why dogs are often scared or agitated during thunderstorms or fireworks.
How The World SOUNDS To Animals
FAQ
What is the quietest thing a dog can hear?
Dogs can hear sounds of a volume as low as 5–15 dB (note that a human whisper is 20–30 dB).
How loud is too loud for a dog?
How far away can a dog hear me?
Do loud sounds hurt dogs’ ears?
Yes, loud noises can hurt a dog’s ears, causing physical damage to the cochlea, eardrum, or small bones in the inner ear, leading to hearing loss and pain, just like in humans. Dogs are also more sensitive to sounds than humans, making them more vulnerable to even brief exposure to loud sounds like fireworks, thunder, or construction. Signs of noise sensitivity or damage include cowering, whimpering, ears back, or other signs of pain or anxiety.