Electronics Engineering (ELEX) Board Practice Exam

The typical range of human hearing is commonly accepted to be from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. This range encompasses the frequencies that the average human ear can detect, which is critical for understanding sound waves and their applications in various fields of electronics, audio engineering, and acoustics.

At the lower end, 20 Hz is the threshold of hearing for most individuals, which corresponds to deep bass sounds. As for the upper end, 20 kHz marks the limit where sounds tend to become inaudible to most people, particularly as they age. Frequencies above this range fall into the ultrasonic category and are not perceivable to human hearing, even though they have important uses in technology, such as in ultrasound imaging.

The other frequency ranges provided do not accurately reflect the standard range recognized in audiology and sound engineering. 10 Hz to 15 kHz extends too far into lower frequencies and cuts off higher frequencies that are crucial for higher-pitched sounds. Similarly, 15 Hz to 25 kHz and 5 Hz to 30 kHz both include ranges that go beyond typical human hearing, potentially including frequencies that are not perceived by most individuals.