What Hedgehogs Can Teach Us About Hearing

What Hedgehogs Can Teach Us About Hearing

When you think of hedgehogs, you probably picture them snuffling around the garden at dusk, rustling through leaves in search of insects. But new research suggests these familiar visitors may be experiencing a whole world of sound that we simply can't hear.

Scientists at the University of Oxford have discovered that European hedgehogs can hear sounds at frequencies of up to 85 kilohertz (kHz) – more than four times higher than the upper limit of human hearing.

It's a fascinating reminder that every species experiences the world differently, and that our hearing is only one small part of the wider soundscape around us.

How does our hearing compare?

A healthy young person can usually hear sounds between around 20 hertz (Hz) and 20,000 hertz (20kHz). As we get older, our ability to hear very high-pitched sounds naturally declines.

Many animals, however, have hearing that extends well beyond our own.

Dogs can hear sounds up to around 45kHz, while cats can detect frequencies of approximately 65kHz. Thanks to this latest research, we now know that hedgehogs can hear even higher frequencies, reaching an impressive 85kHz.

These sounds are known as ultrasound because they sit above the range of human hearing.

Why would hedgehogs need such sensitive hearing?

The researchers believe this remarkable ability may help hedgehogs communicate with one another or detect important sounds in their environment.

It could also have practical conservation benefits.

Thousands of hedgehogs are injured or killed every year on roads or by garden machinery. Understanding which sounds hedgehogs can hear may help scientists develop ultrasonic warning systems that encourage them to move away from danger without disturbing people or household pets.

Researchers also hope the findings will improve the care of hedgehogs in rescue centres, where machinery and equipment may produce high-frequency sounds that humans can't detect but could be stressful for the animals.

Hearing is more remarkable than we often realise

Research like this reminds us just how complex hearing really is.

Our ears do much more than detect sound. They help us communicate, stay safe, enjoy music and connect with the people around us. Every species has evolved hearing that suits its own lifestyle, whether that's detecting predators, finding food or communicating with others.

For humans, even small changes in hearing can have a significant impact on everyday life, making conversations more difficult and affecting confidence and wellbeing.

Looking after your hearing

Although humans can't hear the extraordinary ultrasonic sounds that hedgehogs can, protecting the hearing we do have is incredibly important.

If you've noticed that conversations are becoming harder to follow, particularly in background noise, or family members have started commenting that you're turning the television up louder, it may be time to have your hearing checked.

At The Hearing Clinic, we're passionate about helping people understand their hearing and providing expert advice tailored to their individual needs. Whether you're concerned about hearing loss or simply want reassurance, our experienced team is here to help.

Source

This blog was inspired by a BBC News article, "Secret of hedgehog hearing discovered at far beyond human range", by Georgina Rannard, published on 11 March 2026. The original article reports on research published in Biology Letters exploring the remarkable hearing abilities of European hedgehogs.