The effects of noise upon human hearing sensitivity from 8000 to 20 000 Hz

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Abstract
High‐frequency (8 to 20 kHz) hearing sensitivity was compared in thirty‐six, 20 to 29‐year‐old military veterans with histories of steady‐state or impulsive noise exposure. Threshold shifts were prominent for the steady‐state noise subjects from 13 to 20 kHz. Mean thresholds from 8 through 12 kHz were maximally 20 dB poorer than a sample of young adult normals. Audiometric configurations for this group were generally smooth and symmetrical above 8000 Hz. For the impulsive noise group, substantial shifts in sensitivity were seen from 2 to 20 kHz and the high‐frequency audiometric configurations were often jagged and/or asymmetrical. The variability of subjects in this group was greater than that seen in the steady‐state noise exposed sample. Several case studies are presented to illustrate these characteristics. Measurement of auditory sensitivity from 8 to 20 kHz extends the mapping of basal cochlear function, providing information which often is not predictable from conventional audiometric measurement. This additional information provides for more comprehensive inter‐ and intra‐subject comparison of the degree and extent of threshold changes present.