48 what can your child hear?
Understanding sound
If parents know about the different types of sounds, it will help them
understand how much and what kind of sounds their children can hear.
Loudness
Some sounds are louder than
others. Noises that are closer
are louder than the same
noises farther away.
A motorcycle is much louder
than a person walking. When
a motorcycle is close by, it
will sound much louder than a
motorcycle farther away.
Some sounds can be made louder
or quieter. For example, you can
increase the loudness of a radio or
you can make your voice quieter
by changing from a shout to a
whisper.
loud
sound
quiet
sound
Pitch
Pitch is how high or low the tone of a sound is. Like in music, sounds can
go up and down from high to low pitch.
Higher -pitch sounds
a bird
a flute water pouring
a baby’s cry
wah
Higher-pitch
sounds have a
sharp, thin sound
that can feel like it
goes right through
your ears.
Lower -pitch sounds
a cow
a drum
thunder
a man’s voice
Lower-pitch
sounds have a
full, heavy sound
that you can feel
in your bones.
Helping Children Who Are Deaf (2004)