In ears affected by cochlear damage, the critical bands are typically:

In ears with cochlear damage, the critical bands become wider than 1/3 octave. This widening occurs because the cochlea's ability to separate frequencies is compromised. Critical bands refer to the frequency ranges within which multiple sounds can interfere with each other perceptually. In a healthy cochlea, these bands are relatively narrow, allowing precise frequency discrimination. However, with cochlear damage, the auditory system's frequency resolution is diminished, leading to wider critical bands. This results in sounds being less distinct and more likely to interfere with one another, affecting the overall perception of sound. This phenomenon is important for understanding the challenges faced by individuals with cochlear damage when processing complex sounds like speech in noisy environments.