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Some of the most common hearing problems we come across as audiologists are hearing loss, tinnitus, balance and dizziness. One particular type of hearing loss, is high frequency hearing loss. A person experiencing this will normally have trouble hearing high pitched sounds. Hearing tests are very effective in picking this up, and fortunately, it can be treated with hearing aids.
If you struggle to hear high pitched sounds such as women’s or children’s voices, or the chirping of birds, you likely have high-frequency hearing loss, and a hearing test is recommended. It is most common in older adults or those frequently exposed to loud noises and can occur in varying degrees from mild to moderate, moderately severe, severe or profound. In a person with this type of hearing loss, it means that the tiny hair-like sensory hearing cells in the inner ear are damaged. The causes can include ageing, certain types of medication, genetics, noise-induced damage or certain diseases.
It’s important to treat high-frequency hearing loss, as it can have adverse effects if left unattended. In children, it can lead to speech impediments and academic or social interference, and in adults, it can cause depression or affect balance and lead to falls. Hearing aids that have a small open tip that sit in the ear canal, with the processor, amplifier and microphones sitting behind the era, can help by amplifying only the frequencies you can’t hear clearly. These types of hearing aids are known as Receiver-In-The-Canal (RIC) hearing aids and are the best type for this condition, as when programmed correctly, they allow natural hearing for the low-frequency sounds, while only amplifying the high frequencies that are damaged or impaired. It’s important to note that hearing aids do take some time to get used to, but once your bodyand brain adjust, they can make a world of difference. It’s also advisable to protect your hearing from an early age to prevent age-related or noise-induced high-frequency hearing loss. This can be done with high-quality earplugs and avoiding exposure to loud noises.
At Dr Tami Mehl Audiology, we strongly advise that you seek help if you suspect you may have high-frequency hearing loss, as it could have serious social, emotional, physiological and psychological effects on you. Dr Tami Mehl has a clinical doctorate in Audiology from the University of Florida (USA) – with a special interest in balance and dizziness disorders, hearing difficulties and tinnitus. She combines advanced technology with 29 years of experience to identify and manage hearing problems in the most accurate, non-invasive way from newborns to geriatrics.
For a doctor in audiology who understands sensitivities, book an appointment here, or call either our Bedfordview practice (011 622 6314) or our Illovo practice (011 268 0490). We look forward to hearing from you soon.
