Dependence of the Temporary Threshold Shift on the Immediately Preceding Exposure to Noise

Abstract

Temporary threshold shift (TTS) measured immediately after exposure to noise here called TTS₁, is surely more difficult to determine in audiological testing, than the usual TTS₂, but in its dependence on the preceding exposure, it is useful in defining criteria for auditory fatigue, for damage and for normal adaptation to noise exposure of short durations. A few results selected from a study using improved methods of measuring TTS₁ confirm the point of view of others in defining regions and limits of normal hearing and auditory fatigue.

Key Words:

• Temporary threshold shift (TTS)
• Auditory adaptation
• Auditory fatigue
• Noise-induced hearing loss