Threshold of pain

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Not to be confused with Pain tolerance.

The threshold of pain or pain threshold is the point along a

visual analog scale). Although an IASP document defines "pain threshold" as "the minimum intensity of a stimulus that is perceived as painful",[1] it then goes on to say (contradictorily in letter although not in spirit) that:[1]

Traditionally the threshold has often been defined, as we defined it formerly, as the least stimulus intensity at which a subject perceives pain. Properly defined, the threshold is really the experience of the patient, whereas the intensity measured is an external event. It has been common usage for most pain research workers to define the threshold in terms of the stimulus, and that should be avoided ... The stimulus is not pain (

q.v.
) and cannot be a measure of pain.

Although the phrasing may not convey it perfectly, the distinction clearly meant is the aforementioned one between the stimulus and the perception of it. The intensity at which a stimulus (e.g., heat, pressure) begins to evoke pain is thus called by a separate term, threshold intensity.[1] So, if a hotplate on a person's skin begins to hurt at 42 °C (107 °F), that is the pain threshold temperature for that bit of skin at that time. It is not the pain threshold (which is internal/subjective) but the temperature at which the pain threshold was crossed (which is external/objective).

The intensity at which a stimulus begins to evoke pain varies from individual to individual and for a given individual over time.

Heat

The temperature at which heat becomes painful for a recipient is called the heat pain threshold for that person at that time. One study showed that morning-oriented people have higher pain threshold for heat as compared to evening-oriented individuals.[2]

Hearing

The

hearing impairment and tinnitus
.

The volume in

sound pressure level. Different values for pain threshold pressure level and pain threshold pressure are found in the literature:[5][6][4]

Threshold of Pain
Sound pressure level Sound pressure
120 dBSPL 20 Pa
130 dBSPL 63 Pa
134 dBSPL 100 Pa
137.5 dBSPL 150 Pa
140 dBSPL 200 Pa

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c IASP. "IASP Pain Terminology". IASP Press. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 2013-12-15.
  2. S2CID 7308674
    .
  3. ^ Truax, Barry (1999). "Handbook for Acoustic Ecology" (2 ed.). ARC Publications, World Soundscape Project, Simon Fraser University.
  4. ^ a b Franks, John R.; Stephenson, Mark R.; Merry, Carol J., eds. (June 1996). Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss – A Practical Guide (PDF). National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. p. 88. Retrieved 2009-07-15. the threshold for pain is between 120 and 140 dB SPL.
  5. OCLC 484327
    . The upper limit for a tolerable intensity of sound rises substantially with increasing habituation. Moreover, a variety of subjective effects are reported, such as discomfort, tickle, pressure, and pain, each at a slightly different level. As a simple engineering estimate it can be said that naive listeners reach a limit at about 125 dB SPL and experienced listeners at 135 to 140 dB.
  6. ^ Nave, Carl R. (2006). "Threshold of Pain". HyperPhysics. SciLinks. Retrieved 2009-06-16. A nominal figure for the threshold of pain is 130 decibels ... Some sources quote 120 dB as the pain threshold
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