Relation of Hearing Loss to Noise Spectrum

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Abstract
Assuming a close relation between temporary and permanent hearing loss to exist, experiments were done to find the "relative traumatizing power" of different frequencies. Octave bands of noise were used as stimuli to investigate the threshold shift at a single frequency (one-half octave above the center of the noise band), as well as the integrated threshold shift over all frequencies. From these data isotraumatic lines were derived, representing, as a function of frequency, the sound-pressure levels which give equal threshold shifts. These lines have a minimum at about 3600 cps with steep slopes below and above this frequency. It is proposed that these isotraumatic lines, shifted to an appropriate level corresponding with a minimum of 75 dB, may have value as criteria to conclude whether a noise will induce hearing losses or not.
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