Acoustic shock

Acoustic shock or acoustic trauma is a type of noise induced hearing damage resulting from an extreme noise event of short or very short duration.  Amongst musicians and sound engineers causes of such trauma may be anything from an uncontrolled feedback screech or a massive unexpected percussion crash¹.

While acoustic shock can and often does cause damage to hearing sensitivity, it often triggers an ongoing pattern of hearing disorders such as tinnitus and hyperacusis and may also affect the vestibular (balance) system.

Treatment may be similar to that used for tinnitus or hypercusis and involve rehabituation to moderate sound levels.

Further information and help

If you would like to know more, please email one of our audiologists.

1. Katz, J. (Ed.) (2009). Handbook of Clinical Audiology (6th ed.). Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.