How do high frequency sounds affect the ear?
A. High frequency sound has many physical effects in the rehabilitation of the ear. Firstly it stimulates damaged cilia [the hearing hairs in the inner ear] to an erect position after they have been flattened by damaging noise. In the case of tinnitus, the flattened cilia may be touching each other, causing a short circuit and therefore, noise. Hearing loss generally occurs in the higher frequency range first. Dr Tomatis found that 60% of the 30,000 hearing receptor cells are intended to hear high frequency sounds. When this stimulus is missing the result is feelings of weariness and lethargy. Secondly the stimulation introduced by Sound Therapy improves the overall vitality and flexibility of the ear mechanism. This sometimes assists in clearing mucous build up which is causing infection or sinus conditions. Thirdly, the tiny, but important muscles in the middle ear, are exercised by the changes in pitch occurring in the music. These muscles mobilise the bones which, in turn regulate
