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Well, if ultrasound was able to produce significant energy input to the cochlear hairs (stereocilia), it would invoke motion in these hairs and thus the percept

Well, if ultrasound was able to produce significant energy input to the cochlear hairs (stereocilia), it would invoke motion in these hairs and thus the perception of sound. So if that was the case, one would be able to hear ultrasound (which one cannot). Actually, the inability of the human ear to hear ultrasound is because the impedance matching function (mechanical gain) of the bones in the middle ear rolls off at high frequencies. So the energy in ultrasound is dissipated before it reaches the inner ear. That being said, exposure to >120 dB ultrasound can damage your hearing (I believe this is because response functions of the ear start becoming nonlinear). According to Wikipedia, above 150 dB ultrasound can even start heating your flesh, and above 180 dB it can be fatal.

stcredzero 10y ago
Well, if ultrasound was able to produce significant energy input to the cochlear hairs...one would be able to hear ultrasound (which one cannot). That being said, exposure to >120 dB ultrasound can damage your hearing (I believe this is because response functions of the ear start becoming nonlinear). Seems self contradictory on your part, unless you're saying people who otherwise can't, can still hear ultrasound, so long as it's over 120db. So, my top frequency for hearing is down to 14.5k from before, last time I tested it. Are you saying that 15.5k sounds now won't damage my stereocilia? That doesn't make sense, unless those things actually get stronger with age. Usually, things in the body get weaker with age.