I didn't find any discussion of this here, so I thought I'd share what I've found.
So there's this phenomenon called sound conditioning where exposure to moderate noise levels is protective against damage from subsequent loud noise levels. Basically, spend some time listening to 85 dB pink noise before a concert and the 120 dB show won't trash your hearing as much.
Sound conditioning reduces noise-induced permanent threshold shift in mice
Influence of sound-conditioning on noise-induced susceptibility of distortion-product otoacoustic emissions
This benefit apparently also exists if the moderate noise exposure happens even after the excessive noise. This is called backward sound conditioning.
Protection against Acoustic Trauma by Forward and Backward Sound Conditioning
Related to this is a newer idea of threshold sound conditioning. Supposedly exposure to custom-tailored noise that's just barely loud enough to hear for the individual, at their hearing threshold, can actually improve hearing over time. Basically listen to customized low-level noise for 30 minutes a day and your audiogram will get better.
Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Threshold Sound Conditioning in the treatment of Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Pretty bold claim! But I haven't been able to find much other research on this at all. You'd think if this worked, there would be a ton of info on it. Anyone know anything more about this topic and whether or not it helps with tinnitus? In theory anything that could actually improve hearing might reduce tinnitus, right?
So there's this phenomenon called sound conditioning where exposure to moderate noise levels is protective against damage from subsequent loud noise levels. Basically, spend some time listening to 85 dB pink noise before a concert and the 120 dB show won't trash your hearing as much.
Sound conditioning reduces noise-induced permanent threshold shift in mice
Influence of sound-conditioning on noise-induced susceptibility of distortion-product otoacoustic emissions
This benefit apparently also exists if the moderate noise exposure happens even after the excessive noise. This is called backward sound conditioning.
Protection against Acoustic Trauma by Forward and Backward Sound Conditioning
Related to this is a newer idea of threshold sound conditioning. Supposedly exposure to custom-tailored noise that's just barely loud enough to hear for the individual, at their hearing threshold, can actually improve hearing over time. Basically listen to customized low-level noise for 30 minutes a day and your audiogram will get better.
Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating Threshold Sound Conditioning in the treatment of Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Pretty bold claim! But I haven't been able to find much other research on this at all. You'd think if this worked, there would be a ton of info on it. Anyone know anything more about this topic and whether or not it helps with tinnitus? In theory anything that could actually improve hearing might reduce tinnitus, right?
