An injury to the hearing mechanisms within the inner ear, caused by excessively loud noise. Causes, Incidence and Risk Factors Acoustic trauma is a common cause of sensory hearing loss . Damage to the hearing mechanisms within the inner ear may result from explosion near the ear, certain musicians, long exposure to loud noises such as loud music or loud machinery, or other recreational sound such as hunting.
Acoustic trauma is a form of occupational hearing loss .
Signs And Tests Hearing loss after noise exposure is a good indicator of acoustic trauma. Audiometry may determine the extent of the hearing loss. The hearing loss may not be correctable. Improving the residual hearing with a hearing aid may benefit communication. Coping skills such as lip-reading and use of visual cues can be learned.