Very few people pay attention to the hum from the TV or a flashing electric light. But for pets, maybe they are suffering quite a lot.
The awakened animal senses differ from humans and can detect noises and flickering effects that humans cannot, especially when the room is full of hi-tech equipment. We can tune the smoke sensor that is ringing the bell by changing the battery, but it will turn to high-pitched noises that only our dogs can hear.
How did the scientists study?
Neuroscientist professor Sheila Carrera-Justiz of the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, says animal hearing makes them perceive the world as completely different from humanity. They can hear everything we hear, but it’s more than that.
According to Katherine Houpt, an environmental analyst at Cornell University, pets have the ability to hear sounds higher than humans can hear, also known as sonar. So they became hysterical and the owner did not realize the reason.
Humans can hear sound frequencies between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz. In fact, half of that range can be heard by adults, as age reduces the sensitivity to high tones. Meanwhile, dogs can hear sounds up to 45,000Hz, while cats can be 64,000Hz. For them, ultrasound to humans is simply sound, but home design objects do not pay attention to this aspect. In order to attract consumers, electronic devices are only suppressed for the high-pitched noises we hear. Of course, dogs or cats are not considered in the home design of many technology firms.
Although we do know the fact that animals are affected by sounds that humans cannot hear, how they act is still unclear. In a study from 2005 on the effects of sound on laboratory animals, Professor Jeremy G. Turner of Southern Illinois University found that noise can alter cardiovascular circulation, sleep. and endocrine in animals, making them susceptible to seizures.
A survey conducted by a team of veterinarians in the UK in 2017 referred to a syndrome called sonic response convulsions in cats, caused by high-frequency sounds. Listed indoor sound sources include phone ringing, printer, computer, or tinkering cooking. What do we do when we know: Russian bear hunting dog.
Avoiding the aforementioned noises is extremely difficult. In addition, assessing the severity of the problem is not easy, as there is no labeling system for the ultrasonic waves emitted from household electronics.
Common noises at home
While no scientific solution has been put in place, you can help your pet relieve the pressure of annoying sounds by turning off power supplies for unused equipment and removing them. power outlet (although this may affect product functionality such as the DVR); setting up a completely silent indoor room because there are no electronics, including LEDs; Or placing the soundbar in an enclosed space to limit ultrasonic waves.
Pets in the home also have to deal with the impact of the flashing light from the light bulb without humans noticing. LEDs dominate the lighting power market and are more installed in the interior. But the problem with this type of device is that the light is on and off from time to time, sometimes it is darker than the bright one. It would be difficult for the average person to notice this flicker with the current LED, but the pet is completely sensitive to sound, now light.
In humans, the concept of “critical flicker fusion” (CFF), or the frequency at which light appears steady in front of the user’s eyes, can be as low as 24Hz, or 24 blinks per second. Most online videos are built on a basis of 30 frames per second. For the human eye, such blinking speed achieves smooth, seamless movement. But according to author Alexandra Horowitz, the dog has a sensitive CFF level up to 80Hz or 80 blinks per second. “This may explain why most dogs cannot sit still in front of the TV screen to watch,” Horowitz described. Many studies have also shown that flashing lights have a negative effect on many animals, even the fear of light in dogs and cats.
Consumers are advised to use LEDs with lower flicker levels. Unless you want to get rid of the tech life completely, you won’t be able to prevent light and sound pollution in your home. However, you can still express concern for your pets by doing careful consideration before buying an economical LED or sound system for your home.