On 6/8/2010 2:43 PM, Cheryl wrote:
> No where else to ask this, plus you're all a smart bunch.
>
> Today I got my new laptop at work and the help desk brought it in and
> said they had to send it back because it was making a high-pitched sound
> that was annoying. I couldn't hear it. I asked a couple of others to
> come listen to my laptop and tell me what they heard, and without
> knowing I couldn't hear it and without knowing the help desk was going
> to send it back, everyone said high-pitched sound, maybe hard drive or
> maybe video. More intrigued at why I couldn't hear this, I asked others,
> and some even said it was giving them a headache to hear it. WTF? Could
> there be frequencies some people can't hear that others can, similar to
> how some animals hear frequencies that no human can hear? I asked people
> of different ages and there was only one other person about my age who
> didn't hear anything at all, but some close to my age heard it loud and
> clear. I have never had a reason to think my hearing is impaired.

A typical teen will be able to hear frequencies up to around 20,000 Hz.
My guess is that any kid would be able to hear it loud and clear.

By the time you're in your 40s, expect it to drop down to below 12,000
Hz. You could have a hearing loss which means that your hearing could be
dropping off around 2,000 Hz. If you do have an impairment, chances are
that you'll be unaware of it. If your family has told you that you're
hard of hearing and that you turn your TV up too loud - you probably
have a significant loss and should make an appointment to have it
checked. Good luck!