Hearing tests provide baseline for Australian seals and sea lions

Researchers from Curtin University and the Taronga Conservation Society Australia have conducted the first hearing tests on Australian sea lions and long-nosed fur seals. By training the animals to respond to tones in exchange for food, the team determined both species are most sensitive to sounds around 3.2 kilohertz.

This study establishes a vital baseline to assess how human-made noise from shipping, aircraft, and coastal construction impacts these marine mammals. Understanding these sensory abilities is essential for protecting the endangered Australian sea lion, which relies on hearing for navigation, finding food, and detecting threats, while guiding future noise management and environmental impact assessments.

Editor's note: The brief provides a clear, accurate summary of the hearing tests and the context for human-made noise research.