Theory 010/Acoustics & Vibration

Hearing Loss Reads Kurtosis

The claim

Noise-induced hearing loss is predicted by the kurtosis of the exposure rather than by equal-energy dose, so impulsive noise damages more at the same energy.

01The mechanism

Peaks above a threshold trigger mechanical damage that continuous sound of equal energy does not, so the distribution's shape matters.

02Predictions

P1Kurtosis should predict loss better than Leq.
P2Equal-energy impulsive exposure should cause more loss.

03Refutation

Loss tracking equal energy at controlled kurtosis would restore the dose model.