What Does High-Frequency Hearing Loss Sound Like?
High-frequency hearing loss is a condition where you lose the ability to hear high-pitched sounds, while lower pitches may remain clear. This is what causes the frustrating experience of hearing someone speak but not being able to understand the words clearly. The issue is a loss of clarity, not just volume.
Older adults and those with a history of noise exposure are the groups most commonly affected by this type of hearing loss, though it can occur in people of any age.
What Are the Symptoms of High-Frequency Hearing Loss?
Because high-frequency hearing loss affects specific sounds, the symptoms can be subtle at first and often relate more to the clarity of sound rather than the volume. Common indicators include:
- Muffled Speech Sounds: You may find speech unclear, as if people are mumbling. This is often because you are missing the crisp, high-pitched consonant sounds (like 's', 'h', and 'f') that give words their definition.
- Difficulty Hearing in Noisy Environments: Following conversations in noisy environments like restaurants or family gatherings becomes challenging as background sounds seem to overwhelm speech.
- Trouble with Certain Voices: You may find it harder to understand women and children, as their voices are naturally higher in pitch.
- Missing Everyday Sounds: You may no longer notice subtle, high-pitched environmental sounds, such as birds chirping, a microwave beeping, or the clicking of a turn signal.
- Hearing Words but Incoherent: You can hear that someone is speaking, but the words lack the clarity needed for understanding. This discrepancy between hearing sound and understanding words is what leads to the frustrating perception that others are mumbling.
Assessing High-Frequency Hearing Loss
If the symptoms described seem familiar, a professional audiometry test in Singapore is conducted by a qualified audiologist. They will assess your hearing status and determine the degree of your hearing loss, which can range from mild to profound.
A frequency hearing test takes place in a sound-treated booth where you will listen to a series of tones at different pitches. Your responses are recorded on a graph known as an audiogram, which displays your hearing threshold for various pitches. For high-frequency hearing loss, the audiogram shows a distinct pattern. It will depict a line that slopes downward to the right, indicating poorer hearing in the high frequencies (2,000–8,000 Hz).
Why Do People Develop High-Frequency Hearing Loss?
High-frequency hearing loss typically occurs when the delicate hair cells in the inner ear, responsible for processing high-pitched sounds, become damaged. Several common factors can cause this damage over time.
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Ageing (Presbycusis)
This is the most common cause, resulting from the cumulative wear and tear on the inner ear structures over a lifetime. This gradual, age-related decline in hearing ability, known as presbycusis, typically affects the high frequencies first. -
Noise Exposure
Loss of high-frequency hearing can occur instantly from a single, extremely loud sound, such as an explosion. More often, it develops gradually from repeated exposure to noise levels above 85 decibels. This damage frequently results from occupational hazards, such as machinery, or recreational activities, including prolonged exposure to loud music. -
Genetics
Some individuals inherit a genetic predisposition that makes the delicate structures of their inner ear more vulnerable to damage. Consequently, these hereditary factors can make an individual more prone to experiencing hearing loss, which may manifest at a younger age or to a greater degree. -
Ototoxic Medications
Certain medications are "ototoxic," meaning they can harm the inner ear's delicate sensory cells and cause permanent damage. This category includes some antibiotics, specific chemotherapy drugs, and even non-prescription medications like aspirin when taken in very high doses. -
Certain Health Conditions
Various diseases and health conditions, particularly those affecting blood flow, can negatively impact the function of the inner ear. For example, Ménière's disease is known to cause fluctuating hearing loss, and while it often begins in the low frequencies, it can affect the whole hearing range over time.
Management Options for High-Frequency Hearing Loss
In most cases, this type of hearing loss is irreversible because the damaged inner ear hair cells cannot be repaired. However, it is manageable with the right technology.
Right Type of Hearing Aid
The primary way to manage hearing loss is with a well-fitted hearing aid. The recommended option is typically a Receiver-In-Canal (RIC) model fitted with an open dome.
This type of hearing aid is suitable because the open fitting allows low-frequency sounds you hear naturally to enter your ear canal without being blocked. It will only amplify the specific high-frequency sounds you are missing, which prevents a muffled or "plugged-up" feeling and results in a natural sound quality.
Adjustment Period and Professional Fitting
Adjusting to new hearing aids takes time, particularly if your hearing loss has been left unaddressed for an extended period. Your brain needs time to re-adapt to hearing the sounds it has been missing. This is why a professional hearing aid trial and fitting is essential.
An audiologist will programme the devices for your needs and guide you through the adaptation process to ensure the hearing aids are working optimally for you.
Health Risks of Untreated Hearing Loss
Leaving high-frequency hearing loss unaddressed can have serious consequences that extend far beyond simply missing conversations. Studies have established a significant connection between hearing loss that goes unaddressed in adults and an increased likelihood of several major health conditions.
- Cognitive Decline and Dementia: When hearing is difficult, the brain must work harder just to decode sound. This constant effort diverts cognitive resources away from other necessary tasks, such as memory and executive function.
- Social Isolation and Depression: Difficulty communicating in social settings often leads to withdrawal from once enjoyable activities. This can cause profound feelings of loneliness and contribute to depression over time.
- Increased Risk of Falls: Reduced awareness of your surroundings and the sounds within it makes you more susceptible to accidents. The heavy cognitive load from straining to hear can also affect your sense of balance.
Preventing High-Frequency Hearing Loss
Although the ageing process cannot be stopped, you can take practical steps to protect your hearing from noise-induced damage, a primary cause of high-frequency hearing loss.
Limit Your Exposure
Make it a habit to be aware of the noise levels around you. Prolonged or repeated exposure to any sound above 85 decibels (dB), roughly the loudness of a heavy lorry or a blender, can cause permanent damage to your hearing.
Turn Down the Volume
When using personal devices, keep the volume at a moderate and safe level. Consider applying the 60/60 rule, which recommends that you listen at or below 60% of the maximum volume and take a break after 60 minutes of continuous use.
Use Hearing Protection
When you know you will be in a loud environment, it is critical to use protection. Your options range from simple disposable earplugs to noise-cancelling headphones and custom-moulded earplugs from a hearing professional. For specific needs, electronically active ear protection is available, filtering out harmful sounds while allowing safe sounds through.
What to Do if You Suspect Hearing Loss
When you notice indications of hearing difficulties in yourself or a loved one, it is vital to address the issue promptly. Early testing and intervention are proven to lead to better long-term outcomes. We recommend scheduling a professional hearing assessment with an audiologist to get a clear understanding of your hearing health.
Get the Help You Need for High-Frequency Hearing Loss
High-frequency hearing loss is a common but very manageable condition. Taking timely action through a professional assessment, getting support from well-fitted hearing aids, and following preventive methods can protect your hearing and overall well-being.
Addressing your hearing loss early is crucial to avoid the associated health risks and allows you to stay connected and maintain a full and active lifestyle.
