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This is
completely anecdotal...
As you know,
kids like to put high frequency (16 kHz) ring tones on their cell phones so that
adults (ie. authority figures) with compromised hearing cannot hear the phone
ring.
Yesterday, my
son asked "why is it that I can hear the first ring loudly, but by the third or
fourth ring I cannot hear it anymore?"
I didn't have
an answer, of course. But if you'd like me to investigate the phenomenon
further with him, I can do that. This isn't horribly scientific, of
course, but maybe useful.
Eric
Dear List
I am investigating the possibility that the ear
dynamically adapts its frequency response dependant on environment, for
example, to suppress noise. My current thinking is that the mechanism for this
adaptation is in the expanding and contracting of the outer hair cells,
restricting or exaggerating movement of the inner hair cells at different
frequencies depending on the stimuli. I would be grateful for any input anyone
may have regarding this idea.
Thanks,
Mark
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