Can low frequency harm you?

Low frequency sounds can be harmful Human beings are normally able to detect sounds in the range of 20-20,000 Hz and it is well known that sounds within this range can damage the hearing. However, sounds under the frequency of 20 Hz can also affect the ear even though we are unable to hear them.

Human beings can normally hear sounds with a frequency between about 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz. Sounds with frequencies below 20 hertz are called infrasound. Infrasound is too low-pitched for humans to hear.

Especially dangerous is infrasound at the frequency of 7 Hz, since this sound, generating frequencies, close to characteristic frequencies of the organs of our body, may disturb the heart or brain activity . Machines, natural sources storms, earthquakes, hurricanes, etc. generate infrasound.

Human ear perceives frequencies between 20 Hz (lowest pitch) to 20 kHz (highest pitch). All sounds below 20 Hz are qualified as infrasounds, althought some animals (ex. mole-rat, or elephant) are hearing them.