Understanding High-Frequency Hearing Loss

High-frequency or high-pitch hearing loss is one of the most common types of hearing loss. It occurs between 2000 Hertz (Hz) and 8000 Hz. Diminished hearing acuity in the high range is usually the first sign of hearing loss.

When you receive a hearing test, known as an audiogram, the results with be explained. The audiogram is a graph that shows how well you hear at each frequency. Each frequency or pitch is important for speech comprehension.

High-frequency hearing loss and speech

People with high-frequency hearing loss have trouble comprehending speech in noise and the voices of women and children. Women’s and children’s voices are higher in pitch. Hearing birds, conversations on the phone, or the doorbell may also be hard.

Since high frequencies help with speech comprehension, certain letters of the alphabet, which are high in pitch, are hard to understand with hearing loss. Such letters are S, H, and F. It is easy to miss certain consonant sounds with high-frequency hearing loss.

Sounds for high frequencies are processed by tiny hairs in the cochlea at the base. Low-frequency sounds are processed near the top. Noise-induced hearing loss and age-related hearing loss mostly affect the high frequencies first.

Hearing aids can help

The tiredness associated with high-frequency hearing loss in straining to hear and understand is significantly reduced with hearing aids. There are many options to correct high-frequency hearing loss with hearing aids. The technology actually processes speech differently than noise to help you hear better and feel less fatigue.

For the best hearing test and hearing aid offers near you, contact your hearing instrument specialist at Pure Sound Hearing Aids in any of several locations.

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