Temporary Threshold Shift

A temporary impairment of hearing acuity as indicated by a change in the threshold of audibility.

Sustained exposure to moderately high noise levels over a period of time can cause gradual hearing loss. It starts out as a temporary hearing loss, such as immediately after a loud rock concert. The hearing usually restores itself within a few hours after exposure, although not quite to its pre-exposure level. This is called a temporary threshold shift.