Which item is NOT an auditory effect of noise exposure?

• A. Effects on job performance
• B. Hearing Loss
• C. Tinnitus
• D. Acoustic trauma

Answer: (A)

Direct changes to the ear and the auditory system are what the question is testing. After noise exposure, the ear can undergo several direct effects: hearing loss, tinnitus, and acoustic trauma. Hearing loss means reduced sensitivity to sounds, which can be temporary or permanent. Tinnitus is a perceptual ringing or buzzing in the ears that can follow noise exposure. Acoustic trauma is immediate damage from a very loud impulse, causing a sudden shift in hearing thresholds.

Effects on job performance describe how well someone functions in tasks, which can be influenced by a hearing problem, but it is not a direct auditory change itself. Therefore, the item that is not an auditory effect of noise exposure is the one about effects on job performance.