Hearing thresholds of a harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena) for narrow-band sweeps.

The hearing sensitivity of a 2-yr-old male harbor porpoise was measured using a standard psycho-acoustic technique under low ambient noise conditions. Auditory sensitivity was measured for narrow-band 1 s sweeps (center frequencies: 0.125-150 kHz). The audiogram was U-shaped; range of best hearing (within 10 dB of maximum sensitivity) was from 13 to ∼140 kHz. Maximum sensitivity (threshold: ∼39 dB re 1 μPa) occurred at 125 kHz at the peak frequency of echolocation pulses produced by harbor porpoises. Reduced sensitivity occurred at 32 and 63 kHz. Sensitivity fell by ∼10 dB per octave below 16 kHz and declined sharply above 125 kHz. Apart from this individual's ca. 10 dB higher sensitivity at 0.250 kHz, ca. 10 dB lower sensitivity at 32 kHz, and ca. 59 dB lower sensitivity at 150 kHz, his audiogram is similar to that of two harbor porpoises tested previously with a similar psycho-acoustic technique.