What is the relationship between frequency and diffraction?

The relationship between frequency and diffraction is rooted in the wave nature of sound. Lower frequencies have longer wavelengths, which allows them to bend around obstacles more easily compared to higher frequencies, which have shorter wavelengths. This bending of waves around objects is what we describe as diffraction.

Therefore, lower frequency sounds are less obstructed by barriers and can more effectively spread out in their environment, leading to increased diffraction. As a result, when the frequency decreases, the ability of sound waves to diffract increases because the longer wavelengths can navigate around obstacles that might impede higher frequency sounds.

In contrast, higher frequencies, with their shorter wavelengths, do not diffract as readily. They tend to travel in more direct paths and are more easily blocked by obstacles, limiting their ability to spread out. Understanding this relationship is crucial for hearing instrument specialists, as it impacts how sound behaves in different environments and how instruments can be designed to optimize hearing in various contexts.