Damage ranges from exhaustion of the hair (hearing) cells in the ear to loss of those cells. NIHL is, therefore, the consequence of overstimulation of the hair cells and supporting structures. Structural damage to hair cells (primarily the outer hair cells) will result in hearing loss that can be characterized by an attenuation and distortion of incoming auditory stimuli.
Damage to hearing can range from exhaustion of hair cells in the ear to complete loss of those cells. Noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is a consequence of overstimulation of these hair cells and supporting structures. Structural damage to hair cells, particularly the outer hair cells, leads to hearing loss characterized by attenuation and distortion of incoming auditory stimuli.