The Challenge of High Frequency Loss

Of all the hearing losses that audiologists fit, the high frequency loss is the most difficult and challenging.  Those with true high frequency hearing loss often times do not recognize the problem or choose to “live with it.”  Its greatest effect is often times on family and those around them.  When a high frequency loss is present, you will notice difficulty understanding people with soft or high pitch voices such as children.   In a setting with background noise, such as a restaurant, it is most difficult to follow a conversation even with a person seated next to you.  A television program may actually be too loud but still difficult to understand.  In the past, if the person with high frequency hearing loss was fitted with hearing aids, they may have had a sensation of feeling “plugged up.” Sometimes the “cure” was worse than the “problem.” 

In recent years, digital technology has allowed the audiologist to more effectively control feedback or “whistling” without turning down the volume.  In middle 2003, a dynamic new technology became available to amplify only high frequency sounds and have an “open fit.”  The low frequencies come in naturally and reduce the sensation of hearing your own voice.  It has opened a world of advanced technology to those persons who have had difficulty in the past.    In a series of clinical studies in our office, we have seen a significant increase in speech understanding in noise as measured by the Abbreviated Profile of Hearing Aid Benefit (APHAB), a subjective evaluation given to patients using new open fitting technology.   In addition to the APHAB data, we are seeing promising results with speech discrimination in noise. 

Another distinct advantage to this new technology is a cosmetic fit.  In some cases, it is virtually undetectable.  If you have questions about this technology and its application to your particular hearing loss, call our office.  We can review your chart and let you know if you are a candidate.