Damage location in the ear maps onto specific frequency regions of hearing loss.

Evidence

Disordered changes to the function or structure of each component of the ear can yield frequency-specific effects. Changes to the resonant properties of the external ear (such as via growths or malformations) or occlusion (such as via wax or objects) will directly affect hearing in a frequency-specific manner. Changes to the mass or stiffness of the middle ear will also alter the frequencytransmission characteristics of the system and yield frequency-specific effects. Damage to outer or inner hair cells often is frequency specific as well, as certain locations along the length of the cochlea are often impacted more by disease and noise exposure. Each of these disorders will then influence specific portions of the MAP/MAF curves. In many cases, the degree of damage and the location of the damage can be associated with a predictable change in hearing. — Jennifer Lentz, Psychoacoustics- Perception of Normal…, 262

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Damage to outer auditory nerve fibers causes high-frequency hearing loss — David M. Howard, Jamie Angus, Acoustics and Psychoacoustics, 567