The term “absolute pitch,” more commonly referred to as “perfect pitch,” is the rare auditory ability to identify and recreate a musical tone without the help of a reference tone. It is different than “relative pitch,” which is a learned ability common in trained musicians that allows them to infer the pitch of a tone by mental comparison to an external reference tone. Perfect pitch is a phenomenon that is estimated to affect only one in 10,000 people. This ability seems to be a result of both genetic and environmental influences. Aside from being born with perfect pitch, it seems that early exposure to music also may play a role in cultivating the ability to re-create a given musical note.
Hearing loss can affect anyone and has a profound effect on one’s ability to communicate with friends and family. Many modern hearing aids are extremely effective. If fitted by an experienced audiologist, hearing aids can make a real difference. To schedule a hearing assessment, please call BETTER HEARING CENTER. We are the only hearing center that has served the Concord, New Hampshire, area for more than 55 years. New Hampshire’s premier hearing care provider.
P.S. Research suggests that perfect pitch may be associated with an unusually large memory span for speech sounds, further underscoring the importance of hearing ability.
