Change in echolocation signals with hearing loss in a false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens).
The echolocation signals of a false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens) were collected during a wall thickness discrimination task and compared to clicks recorded during an identical experiment in 1992. During the sixteen year time period, the subject demonstrated a loss of high frequency hearing of about 70 kHz. Clicks between the two experiments were compared to investigate the effect of hearing loss on echolocation signals. There was a significant reduction in the peak frequency, center frequency and source level of clicks between the two time periods. Additionally, the subject currently produces more signals with low frequency peaks and fewer signals with high frequency peaks than she did in 1992. These results indicate the subject changed its echolocation signals to match its range of best hearing.
Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology, University of Hawaii, P.O. Box 1106, Kailua, Hawaii 96734, USA.
Laura N
LN
Kloepper
Paul E
PE
Nachtigall
Marlee
M
Breese
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001307:Auditory Perception; D004289:Dolphins / Q000502:physiology*; D004455:Echolocation; D005260:Female; D006316:Hearing Loss, High-Frequency / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011304:Presbycusis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013018:Sound Spectrography; D013997:Time Factors; D014828:Vocalization, Animal