What is Recruitment in Audiology?

Recruitment is a condition that occurs in sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), a type of hearing loss that affects the inner ear. In people with recruitment, a specific increase in intensity is perceived as a significantly larger increase in loudness than a normal hearing individual would perceive the same increase in intensity.

What is an example of recruitment in audiology?

For example, a person with recruitment might perceive a 10 dB increase in sound intensity as a 20 dB increase in sound intensity. This can make it difficult for people with recruitment to tolerate loud sounds, as even a small increase in sound intensity can be perceived as very loud.

What does Recruitment Mean in Hearing?

In hearing, recruitment refers to the abnormal growth in loudness that occurs in people with sensorineural hearing loss. This means that a small increase in sound intensity can be perceived as a much larger increase in loudness.

What is the Theory of Recruitment in Audiology?

The theory of recruitment in audiology is that the inner ear of people with SNHL is more sensitive to sound than the inner ear of people with normal hearing. This means that even a small increase in sound intensity can cause a large increase in the firing rate of the auditory nerve.

What is the Difference Between Recruitment and Hyperacusis?

Recruitment and hyperacusis are two different conditions that can occur in people with hearing loss. Recruitment is an abnormal growth in loudness, while hyperacusis is a condition in which sounds are perceived as being too loud.

People with recruitment may not experience hyperacusis, and people with hyperacusis may not experience recruitment. However, the two conditions can occur together.

If you think you may have recruitment, it is important to see an audiologist for a hearing evaluation.