Shape of the Ear Canal and Hearing Damage

[Don Tinny]

A few months ago I read a note to an ENT that said something like "The shape of the auditory canal in some people may be less curved and predispose to hearing damage."

Apparently some have a more curved ear canal and this protects the organ naturally.

Did you ever read anything about that?

 

[Tinker Bell]

I have not read this but have had similar conversations with audiologists. One reason may be because of how sound waves travel into the ear and through the cochlea. Many people have a dip around 4k, and that particular frequency sits at a spot that takes a pretty direct hit from sound traveling into the ear. Something about how 4k sits at a curve right in the back (see illustration). Maybe a greater curve helps soften the trajectory. This is my super non-medical explanation, the audiologists and specialists had much more educated, detailed info.

 

[Don Tinny]

Thanks for answering. It is a good explanation to explain why some of us are so predisposed to suffer from this problem, without including complex concepts of neurology.
I remember that in some metal concerts, after several songs, the sound started to be heard "broken". I stupidly believed it was due to a problem with the sound system. I talked about this with my friends and they told me that they did not notice anything wrong with the sound.