Binaural versus Monaural Auditory Fatigue

Theoretical considerations regarding the interaction between the two ears suggest the possibility that the amount of auditory fatigue (threshold elevation) in one ear following exposure to sound will depend, in part, upon whether the exposure was directed at that ear only or at both ears. Exposures to noise and to tone were directed at either ear and at both ears of five observers, and continuous threshold recording of the absolute threshold for one ear was made following each exposure. The results indicate no significant difference in the fatiguing effect in one ear between exposures on that ear and exposures to both ears. (This research was supported in whole or in part by the U. S. Air Force under Contract No. AF33(616)-3505, monitored by Aero Medical Laboratory.)