As you may already know, there are different types of hearing loss. One of the most common types of hearing loss is sometimes referred to as high-frequency hearing loss. This type of hearing loss can be identified by a hearing assessment performed by your hearing care provider and can be treated with hearing aids.
So What Exactly is High-Frequency Hearing Loss?
High-frequency hearing loss is defined as hearing loss where you are unable to hear sounds that occur in the higher end of frequencies (between 2000 Hz & 8000 Hz). These sounds are often referred to as “higher sounds” or “high-pitched sounds.” High-frequency hearing loss makes it challenging to understand speech in noise, and the voices of women and children, which are often higher in pitch than men. This can also make it difficult to hear sounds like birds chirping, the doorbell ringing or voices over the telephone.
What Can Cause High-Frequency Hearing Loss?
The tiny hair cells inside the cochlea help process incoming sounds, and high-frequency sounds are processed at the base of the cochlea, while low-frequency sounds are processed near the top. Since hair cells at the base of the cochlea are more susceptible to damage, hearing loss often effects high frequencies before low frequencies.
This type of hearing damage can be caused by a number of factors, including: loud noise, age, ototoxic medications as well as some diseases / medical conditions. Although, age-related hearing loss and noise-induced hearing loss often effect the high frequencies first.
Treatment: How Hearing Aids Can Help
Hearing aids are an effective treatment for high-frequency hearing loss, and there are many different options available to help correct your hearing. The hearing aids on the market today have the technology to amplify only the frequencies affected by the hearing loss and process speech and noise differently to reduce “listening fatigue” that is associated with high-frequency hearing loss. Your hearing care professional can work with you to find the best option for you.
Anderson Audiology is Here to Help You!
Want to get your hearing assessed by an experienced hearing care professional? At Anderson Audiology, we are always here to help you through all aspects of your hearing health. If you have any questions about hearing loss or hearing aids, please contact us to schedule an appointment with one of our hearing professionals today.