19.0k views
0 votes
A temporary depression of the hearing is called a:

A) Noise Induced Hearing Reduction (NIHR)
B) Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS)
C) Permanent Threshold Shift (PTS)
D) Temporary Auditory Depression (TAD)

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

Option (B), A temporary depression of the hearing is known as a Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS). Hearing aids can help with sensorineural or conductive hearing loss but not with Ménière's disease or interaural time differences.

Step-by-step explanation:

A temporary depression of the hearing is called a Temporary Threshold Shift (TTS). This occurs when there is a temporary reduction in hearing sensitivity following exposure to loud sounds. It can manifest as a feeling that one's ears are 'stuffed' or that sounds are muffled. Usually, normal hearing sensitivity returns after some time away from the loud noise exposure. In contrast, a Permanent Threshold Shift (PTS) refers to irreversible hearing loss.

Hearing aids may be effective for treating sensorineural hearing loss or conductive hearing loss, but not problems such as Ménière's disease or issues with intereural time differences. Noise-induced hearing loss, which commonly affects both ears and shows a dip near the 4000 Hz frequency on an audiogram, is an example of sensorineural damage that can lead to Temporary Threshold Shifts.

User Gregoire Ducharme
by
8.3k points