In which frequency range is hearing sensitivity best?

Hearing sensitivity is generally at its best in the frequency range of 2000 Hz to 4000 Hz. This range is particularly crucial because it encompasses many important sounds that are vital for understanding speech, such as consonant sounds. Research has shown that the human ear is most sensitive to sounds within this frequency range, meaning that we can hear softer sounds more easily and accurately here compared to lower or higher frequencies.

The ability to perceive and understand speech relies significantly on detecting sounds within this range, as it corresponds to the frequencies of many phonemes in spoken language. As a result, individuals with hearing impairment may have the most difficulty hearing sounds within this critical frequency range, which is why hearing assessments often focus on these frequencies to determine the need for hearing instruments or other interventions.