Why are loud sounds dangerous?

1 Answer
Al E.
Apr 28, 2018

When sound waves propagate, they must vibrate your tympanic membrane to start the transduction pathway to perceive sound.

Your tympanic membrane's surface area is approximately #64.3"mm"^2#.#""^1#

This vibrational energy is further amplified by the mechanical movement of piston-like bones, and the smaller surface area of your oval window, which takes advantage of,

#P = F/A#

Hence, when "loud" sounds vibrate your tympanic membrane at such a high frequency can cause a tear in your tympanic membrane, among other health consequences.

*Pannu, K. K., Chadha, S., Kumar, D., & Preeti. (2011). Evaluation of Hearing Loss in Tympanic Membrane Perforation. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery, 63(3), 208–213. http://doi.org/10.1007/s12070-011-0129-6*

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