Department of Psychology

Audiogram of the Indian elephant (Elephas maximus)

 

Data from: Heffner, R.S., and Heffner, H.E. (1982) Hearing in the elephant: Absolute thresholds, frequency discrimination, and sound localization. Journal of Comparative and Physiological Psychology, 96, 926-944.

 

Absolute thresholds (in dB re 20 µN/m2) for an Indian elephant

 

Frequency

(in kHz)

Average Threshold

(in dB)

 
 

.016

65

 

.020

52.5

 

.0315

43.5

 

.063

38.5

 

.125

36.5

 

.250

24.5

 

.500

24

 

1

8

 

2

19

 

4

23

 

8

42

 

10

55.5

 

12

72

 

14

79

 

 

Lowest and highest frequencies audible at sound

pressure levels (SPL) ranging from 30 to 70 dB SPL

SPL

(in dB)

Lowest audible frequency (in kHz)

Highest audible frequency (in kHz)

70

.0145

11.8

60

.017

10.5

50

.0225

9.2

40

.050

7.5

30

.180

4.2

 

Additional Parameters:

Body weight = 3000 kg

Functional interaural distance= 3350 µs

(Time required for sound to travel around the head from one auditory meatus to the other.)

 

Comments: Threshold values taken from original data.

Last Updated: 6/27/22