Sound is a mechanical wave that requires a medium, such as air, to travel. It is produced when an object vibrates, exerting a force on the surrounding medium and creating compressions and rarefactions that transfer energy as a wave. The denser the medium, the faster sound can travel. The human ear can detect sounds from 20-20,000 Hz but other animals can hear higher or lower frequencies. Loudness is measured in decibels, and prolonged exposure to very loud sounds can damage hearing.