By means of a beat‐frequency audio‐oscillator, amplifier and a calibrated sound reproducer capable of high acoustic output levels it was found that 27 observers with complete bilateral hearing loss, due either to congenital defect or meningitic infection, but with normal tympanic membranes, possessed average value thresholds of feeling. This finding is interpreted to signify that the threshold of feeling is not causally related to stimulation of the acoustic portion of the eighth cranial nerve. The threshold of feeling in 33 ears lacking tympanic membranes because of the radical mastoid operation or prolonged otitis media was raised 20 db or more above the average values for normal ears, which suggests that the end organs responsible for the threshold of feeling are located within the tympanic membrane and epithelium lining the combined middle ear cavity and external auditory meatus. Individuals with pronounced hearing loss and intact tympanic membranes cannot tolerate high levels of sound amplification in a headphone to enable perception of speech sounds because of the pain elicited when high amplification stimulates the threshold of feeling. Individuals with equal hearing loss but lacking tympanic membranes can use sufficiently high levels of sound amplification to enable perception of speech sounds without arousing unpleasant sensations in the ear.