Department of Psychology

Audiogram of the naked mole rat (Hetercephalus glaber)

 

Data from: Heffner, R.S., and Heffner, H.E. (1993) Degenerate hearing and sound localization in naked mole rats (Heterocephalus glaber), with an overview of central auditory structures. Journal of Comparative Neurology, 331, 418-433.

 

Absolute thresholds (in dB re 20 µN/m2) for four naked mole rats (designated A through D

 

Frequency

(in kHz)

Individual Thresholds

(in dB)

 

Average

A

B

C

D

.008

86

87

88

79

85

.016

70

76

85

70

75.3

.032

68

70

67

59

66

.063

62

63

64

56

61.3

.125

45

41

47

40

43.3

.250

43

45

42

40

42.5

.500

43

46

46

39

43.5

1

38

35

48

40

40.3

2

40

40

39

34

38.3

4

34

29

45

31

34.8

8

46

38

49

41

43.5

11.2

58

47

64

60

57.3

16

86

90

89

85

87.5

 

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

.0233

12.9

60

.065

11.5

50

.096

9.4

40

1.

6.1

30

 

Additional Parameters:

Body weight = 40 g

Functional interaural distance= 61 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