Difference between high frequency, medium and low frequency noise

It will probably come as no surprise to you when we tell you that different sounds have different frequencies. But what is the difference between high frequency and low frequency sounds? What about midrange sounds? If you are interested in the differences between the sounds of different frequencies and how they affect you, read on.

What is low frequency and high frequency when it comes to sound?

When we talk about sound, we talk about high frequency and low frequency waves. Sound waves are the movements of air molecules that our ears translate into sound, and frequency refers to the number of cycles these waves complete per second. This measurement of the number of cycles per second is expressed in Hertz (Hz), with a higher Hz representing a higher frequency sound. Low-frequency sounds are 500 Hz or below, while high-frequency waves are above 2,000 Hz.

Human ears will register sounds with a frequency of about 20 Hz up to 20,000 Hz, depending on the listener, of course. People with hearing loss usually have trouble hearing sounds in higher frequency bands. Speech usually falls between 100 and 8,000 Hz. People may have difficulty distinguishing speech above 3,000-4,000 Hz.

There are generally three types of sound waves:

• Low Frequency Waves - Low frequency sound waves often sound "lower" to the human ear. When you turn up the bass on your stereo, you create more low-frequency sound. These are the "rustling" sounds that you feel and hear.
• Mid-frequency sound waves – Mid-frequency sounds are sounds in the 500 to 2,000 Hz range, which is where you can intelligently determine human speech. Sounds in this range often have a tinny or tinny quality.
• High Frequency Sound Waves – High frequency sounds can start above 2000 Hz, although there is a very wide range of audible sounds in this area. At a frequency of 2000 Hz, we say that the sound gives "presence" to the speech, the speech sounds more real and authentic. At 10,000 Hz, you hear sounds like crashing cymbals and chirping birds.

Low vs. high frequency waves

We will simply explain low, medium and high frequency sounds to you using the example of musical notes. The lowest notes of musical instruments such as organs, tubas, pianos and cellos are in the frequency range of 5-70 Hz. Middle C in the treble clef of a piano is a mid-frequency sound, just above 500 Hz. The highest note on a flute is at the low end of the high frequency range, about 2,100 Hz, while the highest note on a standard piano is just over 4,000 Hz. As for your stereo, when you boost the bass, you filter out the high frequency sound and get more low frequency sound, and when you boost the treble, you get more high frequency sound.