Cochlear damage produces distinct perceptual deficits depending on which cell type is affected

Evidence

Exposure to high-level music produces several physiological changes in the auditory system that lead to a variety of perceptual effects. Damage to the outer hair cells within the cochlea leads to a loss of sensitivity to weak sounds, loudness recruitment (a more rapid than normal growth of loudness with increasing sound level), and reduced frequency selectivity. Damage to the inner hair cells and/or synapses leads to degeneration of neurons in the auditory nerve and to a reduced flow of information to the brain. This leads to poorer auditory discrimination and may contribute to reduced sensitivity to the temporal fine structure of sounds and to poor pitch perception. — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 1873

Categorization

• DEFINE: Defines loudness recruitment — a more rapid than normal growth of loudness with increasing sound level.