Freesound Forums

I read something amazing: it seems there is a torrent frog somewhere in China that can tune his eardrums to specific ultrasonic sound frequencies. By so doing they are able to communicate with each other even in the noisy environments they live in (because of splashing water)...

That I call 'flexible' hardware !! I wish I my eardrums could do this...

More here: http://www.news.uiuc.edu/news/08/0721frogears.html

Saludos

D

You can do in a way. I remember a story (though I can't remember where I heard it or exactly what it was about) where people in a noisy city could hear a coin drop, simply because they focussed on that sound. Other sounds of the same volume they could not hear.
Still cool though the frogs have a built-in equalizer

Interesting topic! I wonder if they get to the sound by rejecting all the others or listen directly for the sound they are seeking?
I once found myself in a tense situation in a busy market-place.....suddenly all external noise went totally silent while every tiny sound relating to the tense situation became 100% loud and clear.Although I didn't make this change in hearing happen,logic would suggest that it must be possible.
One of the things I enjoy about going out and recording is that I'm actually trying to do this all the time...a deer passing in a wood full of birdsong for example.Maybe with practice we can get better at it !

whoa, interesting!

after last night's partying, I hear a little bit less, actually

- bram

Check! I never seem to be able to hear what anyone is trying to say to me in clubs and loud parties...it's really frustrating as they can hear me o.k......perhaps a warning about tinnitus is useful here.
Sounds like you had a good party Bram! I'm going to one later today...should be fun,not so loud so I can hear!