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Study Finds Ear Cells Detect Infrasound, Trigger Stress Hormones

7/11/2026

Summary

Story summary

Researchers in the UK and Norway reported that outer hair cells generate electric fields that trigger nerve signals, enabling perception of infrasound below 16 Hz.
Torsten Marquardt (UCL) and Carlos Jurado (NTNU) authored the study published in Scientific Reports.
The team found that infrasound is sensed as distinct cycles, feeling like vibration or pressure.
Experiments showed high-level infrasound raises cortisol, can cause irritability, and that sensitivity differences may produce varied reactions.

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Story summary

Researchers in the UK and Norway reported that outer hair cells generate electric fields that trigger nerve signals, enabling perception of infrasound below 16 Hz.
Torsten Marquardt (UCL) and Carlos Jurado (NTNU) authored the study published in Scientific Reports.
The team found that infrasound is sensed as distinct cycles, feeling like vibration or pressure.
Experiments showed high-level infrasound raises cortisol, can cause irritability, and that sensitivity differences may produce varied reactions.