Final answer:
The sensitivity of hearing in relation to frequency is shown in an audiogram, which is a visual representation of hearing thresholds across frequencies. Audiograms can demonstrate typical hearing loss patterns, such as presbycusis or noise-induced hearing loss, and how the ear's sensitivity affects the perceived loudness of sounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sensitivity of our hearing in relation to frequency is illustrated in the audiogram. An audiogram is a graphical representation of a person's hearing sensitivity across a range of frequencies, typically from 250 Hz to 8000 Hz. The hearing threshold is marked in decibels (dB) relative to a normal threshold, which is considered to be 0 dB across all frequencies.
Hearing loss, such as that caused by exposure to loud noise, can often be seen as a pronounced dip at around the 4000 Hz frequency on an audiogram, regardless of the frequency that caused the damage. Presbycusis, or age-related hearing loss, is more severe at higher frequencies. This type of hearing loss can be identified on an audiogram by its characteristic loss of sensitivity at these higher frequencies, which can affect both music appreciation and speech recognition abilities.
The ear's varying sensitivity to different frequencies also determines how loud a sound seems. Our ears are most sensitive to frequencies between 2000 and 5000 Hz, meaning sounds within this range can sound louder than those at lower or higher frequencies, even at the same intensity level.