Octave
Octave (Medicine)
Octave (pronounced: /ˈɒktɪv/) is a term used in the field of Audiology and Acoustics to describe a frequency interval where the higher frequency is twice the lower frequency.
Etymology
The term "Octave" originates from the Latin word "Octavus", meaning eighth. It was first used in the context of music, where an octave represents the interval between one musical pitch and another with double its frequency. The term was later adopted in the field of medicine, specifically in audiology and acoustics, to describe similar frequency intervals.
Usage in Medicine
In the field of Audiology, an octave is used to describe the range of frequencies that the human ear can perceive. The human ear can typically hear sounds in the frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. This range is often divided into octaves for the purpose of analysis and diagnosis. For example, an audiologist might refer to the "octave" between 1000 Hz and 2000 Hz when discussing a patient's hearing capabilities.
In Acoustics, the concept of an octave is used in the design and analysis of medical devices such as hearing aids and cochlear implants. These devices often have settings or features that are designed to amplify or attenuate sounds in specific octave bands.
Related Terms
- Hertz (Hz): The unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as one cycle per second.
- Audiogram: A graph that shows the audible threshold for standardized frequencies as measured by an audiometer.
- Cochlear Implant: A surgically implanted electronic device that provides a sense of sound to a person who is profoundly deaf or severely hard of hearing.
- Hearing Aid: A device designed to improve hearing by making sound audible to a person with hearing loss.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Octave
- Wikipedia's article - Octave
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