Sensorineural hearing loss due to noise exposure primarily affects hair cells in which frequency range?

Sensorineural hearing loss caused by noise exposure predominantly impacts the hair cells in the frequency range of 3000-6000 Hz. This is significant because the hair cells in the cochlea that are responsible for transmitting sound signals to the auditory nerve are particularly sensitive to damage from loud sounds.

The specific frequencies within this range are often associated with critical components of speech understanding, including consonant sounds, which makes them crucial for communication. Acoustic trauma from noise exposure can lead to a characteristic notch in audiograms, often identifying a loss around 4000 Hz, but the initial damage commonly occurs within the broader range mentioned.

Understanding this frequency range allows audiologists and hearing professionals to develop targeted strategies for prevention and treatment of hearing loss, emphasizing the importance of hearing conservation programs, especially in noisy environments.