Standard Factory

How does the hum of air conditioners and other electronic equipment affect a person's hearing?

For a physics assignment I need to describe how the hum of air conditioners and other electronic equipment can have a detrimental affect on ones hearing. Low frequencies and low intensity vibrations affect a person psychologically, but insofar I can find no evidence to suggest that due to a particularly low frequency a person's hearing would be affected. If anyone has any information that would be greatly appreciated.

Public Comments

1. Have you tried www.everythingphysics.com answer mine please its about pressure!! http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ass.D.ID_2Us6sSESHZdYjfsy6IX;_ylv=3?qid=20090329015753AAyuamT
2. As the small bones of the inner ear vibrates from exposure to sound, the brain processes this vibration the same as it processes all others. This processed vibration has no beneficial effect to add to the brain, and blocking the noise can cause a subdued irritation to develop in the subliminal parts of the brain. The brain gets the response to move from the unnecessary vibration as a self preservation instinct against this intrusive vibration, and subsequent inner ear fluid movement. The inner ear can be the source of many problems related to balance and vertigo is a common result. The onset of Meniere's Disease like symptoms, are common to kitchen workers in industrial situations. These symptoms will normally reverse when exposure to these kitchen noises is abated. As an industrial worker in a noisy work environment, I can attest to the fact of having a ringing sound that needs days of non exposure to clear. The peace of mind attained at the release from this phantom noise, reminds one of how much stress this will cause. Further study is needed in this field of induced vibration of the inner ear.