Why do we get used to it?....

[saywhat? 5,000+ posts]

For those wondering why we seem to get used to bass, and reall any other frequencies played over a long period of time, I found the answer. Kelin J. Kuhn wrote this.

The outer ear collects and focuses the sound. The sound then causes the eardrum to vibrate -- transferring the signals to the bones of the middle ear. These vibrations are then transmitted to the secondary tympanic membrane (the round window) of the cochlea. The cochlea is fluid filled, and the vibrations carried in the fluid activate tiny hair cells which vibrate at various perceived frequencies. The vibrations of the hairs are then carried by nerves to the brain. It is interesting to note that these cochlear hairs may be damaged by continual loud noises at specific frequencies. Thus, older individuals often have peculiar frequency gaps in their hearing due to long-term exposure to specific frequencies.

Basically the hairs get damaged over time, but heal themselves if you dont listen to those frequencies at a loud volume for a given time. This is how I take the above quote, I am still reading to see if it states whether or not the hairs can heal back, or if they are permanantly damaged. It makes sense though.

Click to read more...

 

[MBrock4u 10+ year member]

Interesting! I take it that it goes for the highs too.

 

[saywhat? 5,000+ posts]

sound is just vibration, like the quote says, so I take it that it goes for all frequencies. We are most senstitive at around 3khz......if that tells you anything.

 

[Rattlebrain 10+ year member]

Ive always heard that once the hairs are damaged, they do not heal.

 

[saywhat? 5,000+ posts]

That's kind of what I figured, as it said over time the older you get, your hearing worsens. This makes sense as older age people have been subject to the noises of everyday life for many more years than younger people.

 

[T3mpest 10+ year member]

yes, as you get older your hearing will worsen. A small part is normal deterioration, most of it is the high average volume level of modern living. Hearing will not repair itself, "getting used to it" is a very nice way of saying, "going deaf".

 

[saywhat? 5,000+ posts]

Then why is it that you can lower the volume for a period of time (a week for example) the turn it back up and it seems louder. I took it as either, the hairs "healed" slightly........of it is just a shock to your hearing.

 

[theCybe 5,000+ posts]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tinnitis

 

[T3mpest 10+ year member]

Shock to your hearing mostly. Ears do have a very shorterm defense mechanism against loud noises. It's called temporary threshold shift. It's what causes the underwater noises when a concert is over. However, if you hit that point and don't back off, you will hurt your ears permanently. Plus, if you get to that point alot you'll do noticeable damage. Most hearing damage that occurs is NOT from shorterm wayy to loud noises. It's longeterm everyday, a bit too loud, because it's just quiet enough that you dont' feel the need to turn it down.

I'd bet that when most people come back to their systems and say "it sounds just as loud as before", that it doesn't. It's probably close, but audial memory isn't very good, so you don't notice it.

 

[theCybe 5,000+ posts]

"Prolonged exposure to noise levels as low as 70 dB can result in damage to hearing"

 

[theCybe 5,000+ posts]

It is also important to check medications for potential ototoxicity. Ototoxicity can be cumulative between medications, or can greatly increase the damage done by noise

 

[Etac 10+ year member]

the high freq's will destroy your hearing a lot quicker then the low ones..

 

[saywhat? 5,000+ posts]

because they are closer to that 3khz that we are more sensitive with. why do you think most people laugh out loud when they hear a LOUD bass stage, but CRINGE! when you have loud loud loud tweeters. In my opinion, that tells the truth in itself.

As far as the temporary threshold shift, I was reading that as well and saw what it was talking about. Personally I find it amazing how the body works. There are FAR MORE technical things than you would think. Also how these chemicals we use are literally a boost to our bodies already functioning system.

Hydrogen Poroxide for example. All that does is release the oxygen from your blood, taking the bacteria with it. Some guy figured to put it in a brown bottle and is making MILLIONS off an element.

 

[T3mpest 10+ year member]

because they are closer to that 3khz that we are more sensitive with. why do you think most people laugh out loud when they hear a LOUD bass stage, but CRINGE! when you have loud loud loud tweeters. In my opinion, that tells the truth in itself.
As far as the temporary threshold shift, I was reading that as well and saw what it was talking about. Personally I find it amazing how the body works. There are FAR MORE technical things than you would think. Also how these chemicals we use are literally a boost to our bodies already functioning system.

Hydrogen Poroxide for example. All that does is release the oxygen from your blood, taking the bacteria with it. Some guy figured to put it in a brown bottle and is making MILLIONS off an element.

I've seen major bass heads not be able to stand in front of my HT system for more than a few seconds, treble FTMFW! Once I get my front stage done in the car, it should be the same way.

 

[Eugenics 5,000+ posts]

its called being human and adapting. i dont need to question it because i know it works. when it stops, then i'll either start asking questions to the doctor. or be dead.