What NIHL Damage Looks Like
In most people who suffer from the effects of Noise Induced Hearing Loss, diminished hearing at certain frequencies was often the first symptom discovered. The hearing loss usually effects the range of hearing needed to understand people speaking, often making it difficult to communicate. The Threshhold Audiogram below shows how the uneven impact of hearing loss creates a notch in the upper range of sound. (HSMC, 2008)
Unfortunately, in cases of Noise Induced Hearing Loss, once the effects are noticed the damage has already reached an irreversible level and the symptoms will gradually worsen over time.
The image below shows the visual difference, under magnification, between healthy and damaged hair cells.
What NIHL Damage Sounds Like
Listen to each of the three simulations of hearing loss below so you can understand what mild, medium and severe hearing loss could sound like. They were selected from a Hearing Loss Sampler program designed by Dr. Scott Bradley from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
Mild Noise Induced Hearing Loss Simulation.
Moderate to severe Noise Induced Hearing Loss Simulation.
Profound Noise Induced Hearing Loss Simulation.
