Transient distortion is caused by what type of input change?

Transient distortion refers to the distortion that occurs in audio signals when there are sudden changes or spikes in the input signal. This type of distortion is most commonly triggered by a large abrupt change in the sound input, such as hitting a drum or a sudden loud noise. When the audio signal experiences this sudden increase in amplitude, the hearing aid or sound processing system may struggle to accurately reproduce the sound, leading to distortion.

In contrast, constant volume input maintains a steady level, which does not cause abrupt changes that can lead to transient distortion. Gradual sound level changes also do not create the sudden spikes that contribute to this type of distortion; instead, they allow the processing system time to adapt to the adjustments in sound level. High-pitched frequencies can produce their own challenges related to sound perception and clarity, but they do not inherently cause transient distortion. Thus, the essence of transient distortion lies in the difficulty of handling large, immediate changes in input, making large abrupt change the correct choice.