Acoustic trauma Acoustic trauma is damage to hearing caused by exposure to loud noise. The noise can have been brief, such as an explosion, or continuous, such as factory noise. Acoustic trauma results in hearing ability that is normal for low frequency sounds (bass) but considerably reduced for high frequencies (treble).

Steeply sloping hearing losses are sensorineural and are also referred to as acoustic trauma. The hearing loss resulting from acoustic trauma is due to damaged hair cells in the cochlea of the inner ear.

The cause of the hearing loss can be long-term exposure to loud noise (for example discotheques, concerts or noisy workplaces), or can be the re-sult of a brief, very loud sound (such as an explosion or a gunshot). This reduction in hearing is often tempora-ry, but in case of repeated exposure to such sounds the reduction may be-come permanent. Generally it can be said that the louder the noise is, the quicker the noise may cause damage to the function of the ear.

The hearing loss results in the inability to perceive high frequency sounds (treble). Hearing is often normal up till frequencies of around 1000 Hz and significantly re-duced at higher frequencies. The largest degree of hearing loss is typically seen at around 4000 Hz. This is also referred to as a steeply sloping hearing loss. People with noise induced hearing loss often have a reduced tolerance to loud sound in the same frequency range (sensitivity to sound).

It is now possible to effectively alleviate hearing loss resulting from acoustic trau-ma with hearing aids.

Hearing protectors offer some protection against acoustic trauma and consequent-ly help protect against steeply sloping hearing losses.

SEE ALSO:

Sensorineural hearing loss

Steeply sloping hearing losses

Hair cells

Sensitivity to sound

Sources of noise