What may recruitment in hearing loss result in?

Recruitment in hearing loss refers to a phenomenon where individuals with certain types of hearing loss experience an abnormal sensitivity to loud sounds. This sensitivity is particularly pronounced as they may struggle to hear softer sounds but find that louder sounds become overwhelmingly loud or uncomfortable.

This is commonly associated with sensorineural hearing loss, where the hair cells in the cochlea are damaged, affecting sound perception. The normal processing of sound is disrupted, leading to a heightened discomfort when exposed to sounds that fall outside their usual listening range. As a result, those with recruitment can find themselves experiencing significant challenges in environments where sound levels vary, making it difficult for them to engage in conversations comfortably.

While tinnitus, noise-induced hearing loss, and temporary threshold shifts are relevant concepts in audiology, they do not specifically relate to the unique phenomenon of recruitment in hearing loss. Tinnitus refers to the perception of sounds without an external source, often occurring alongside hearing loss. Noise-induced hearing loss results from prolonged exposure to loud sounds, and temporary threshold shift involves a temporary decrease in hearing sensitivity following exposure to loud noise, but they don't connect to the concept of exaggerated sensitivity to sound in the same way that recruitment does.