Using behavioural response experiments to measure humpback whale hearing in noise

Abstract

Currently, there are no direct data on mysticete hearing in noise. Available data comes from anatomical modelling, the assumption they can hear their own sounds, and studies on the effects of various sources of anthropogenic noise on their behavior. This study used a behavioral response study design to quantify humpback whale hearing in natural ocean noise. Tonal signals, ranging from 250 Hz to 16kHz, were used as the stimuli, and a change in humpback group behavior indicated the whales heard the signal. Individual whale and group behavior were quantified using a combination of land-based tracking data of groups and tag data deployed on individual whales to record fine-scale 3D movement underwater. The signal-to-noise ratio was estimated at the initial response position of the group or whale, assuming this was the level at which they first detected the tone in noise. Results confirm that humpback whales responded to signals in noise at detection levels comparable to other marine mammals and that their ability to hear signals in noise at higher frequencies is better than expected. This provides empirical data on hearing in a mysticete which can be used to better predict the acoustic impacts of anthropogenic noise on marine mammals.