"Put a plug in it"

[Elwood Doss Jr.]

Thanks for the information!

Joy!
Elwood

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sarah Fox" <sarah@gendernet.org>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2003 10:02 PM
Subject: Re: "Put a plug in it"


> Hi Elwood,
> 
> > This is "for what it's worth":
> > Several years ago I quit drinking caffeinated coffee since I found that
> piano sounds were becoming loud and bright.  Started drinking decaffeinated
> coffee and problem went away.
> 
> Fascinating!
> 
> Yes, that makes sense.  The ear is an active device.  You have two groupings
> of hair cells (vibration receptors) on your basilar membrane (the
> vibration-sensing organ in your inner ear).  The inner hair cells are what
> actually sense the sound.  The outer hair cells are mechanically linked to
> the inner hair cells via an overlying flap called the tectorial membrane.
> When the outer hair cells are vibrated, they vibrate back.  (This is a
> positive feedback mechanism.)  In other words, the outer hair cells make a
> weak vibration stronger.  They are jazzed up, I believe, with caffeine,
> which could make the ear hyperresponsive.
> 
> What you experienced was more than a perception.  It was physical.  Because
> your ear is no longer *mechanically* hyperresponsive, there would be less
> potential for damage from loud sounds.
> 
> Peace,
> Sarah
> 
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