Final answer:
Audiometric zeros are associated with the lowest sound intensity level detectable by a person, which is about 0 decibels (dB), corresponding to a threshold intensity of approximately 10^-12 W/m^2.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Audiometric Zeros:
The term audiometric zeros refers to the lowest level at which a person can begin to detect sound, which is generally considered to be at 0 decibels (dB). The threshold intensity of sound that can be heard by a person with normal hearing is around 10-12 watts per square meter (W/m2), which corresponds to 0 dB. This is because the logarithm of 1, as seen in the formula β = 0 dB when the intensity I is equal to the reference intensity I0 (10-12 W/m2), is zero.
Human hearing is most sensitive to frequencies between 2000 Hz and 5000 Hz, where even low-intensity sounds can be perceived as loud. However, our ears can perceive intensity differences as minute as 1 dB and readily notice a change of 3 dB.
For instance, a person with good hearing can distinguish sounds down to -8.00 dB at a frequency of 3000 Hz, demonstrating the extreme sensitivity of human auditory perception. Various loudness curves also show that greater intensity levels are required at the frequency extremes (very low or very high frequencies) for the sounds to be perceived as equally loud compared to mid-frequency sounds.