Symptoms of high frequency hearing loss

Understanding high frequency hearing loss

Do you struggle to hear certain sounds but hear some sounds well? If you can’t understand a small child speaking to you or pick out the high notes in your favourite songs, you may have high frequency hearing loss.

Symptoms of high frequency hearing loss

People with this type of hearing loss have trouble discerning high-pitched sounds such as bird calls, alarms and the voices of women and children. They may also struggle to hear certain consonants (such as s, h or f), which are spoken at a higher pitch but will be able to hear vowels which are generally at a lower pitch.

High frequency hearing loss can make the speech of others sound muffled, especially if spoken over the phone, radio or television.

What causes high frequency hearing loss?

This is one of the most common types of hearing loss and can affect people of all ages. Some of the most common causes include:

• Loud noise. Noise-induced hearing damage often leads to high frequency hearing loss. This type of damage can be the result of a one-time exposure to a loud noise, such as a gunshot, or through continuous exposure to sounds over 85 decibels.

• Genetics. You family’s medical history may have an impact on your hearing. If you have a family member that suffers from high frequency hearing loss, you may be predisposed to the same condition.

• Aging. While age-related hearing loss occurs slowly and is hard to notice in its early stages, one of the first signs is difficulty hearing high pitched sounds.

• Disease. Certain health conditions, such as untreated ear infections in children and Meniere’s disease in adults, can lead to high frequency hearing loss.

• Medication. While not common, certain antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs and aspirin in large doses can sometimes cause high frequency hearing loss.
  

Treatments for high frequency hearing loss

In most cases, high frequency hearing loss can’t be reversed. However, hearings aids are very effective in helping those with this type of hearing problem. Generally, the best type of hearing aid for those with the condition is one that sits in the ear canal but leaves space so lower frequency sounds that can be heard naturally aren’t muffled.

Talk to an audiologist today

If you think you’re suffering from high frequency hearing loss, the team at any Soundwave Hearing Care location can help. Call us today to schedule your hearing test in Grande Prairie, High River or Calgary.