Which type of hearing loss is rarely caused by noise exposure?

Low-frequency hearing loss is rarely caused by noise exposure because it typically results from different factors, such as age-related changes in the inner ear or other medical conditions. Noise exposure predominantly affects high frequencies, leading to issues like high-frequency hearing loss, which is commonly seen in individuals with a history of prolonged exposure to loud sounds, such as musicians or factory workers.

In the context of noise exposure, low-frequency sounds generally do not possess the same damaging potential to the hair cells in the cochlea as high-frequency sounds do. Since the structures responsible for detecting these frequencies are less susceptible to damage from noise, low-frequency hearing loss is more often related to non-noise factors. This distinction is important for identifying the underlying causes of a patient's hearing issues and guiding appropriate interventions or recommendations for hearing protection.