High-frequency hearing loss is a common type of hearing loss that makes it difficult to hear higher-pitched sounds.
Causes of High-frequency Hearing Loss 
High-frequency hearing loss happens when the hair cells of your inner ear are damaged. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including:
- Aging
- Exposure to loud noise
- Genetic conditions
- Certain medications
- Meniere’s disease
- Chronic ear infections
Symptoms of High-frequency Hearing Loss
Because high-frequency hearing loss makes it difficult to hear higher-pitched sounds, you may struggle to hear:
- Birds chirping
- Doorbells
- Devices beeping
- Women’s and children’s voices
- Words that start with “s” “h” or “f”
Speech, in general, can become hard for people with high-frequency hearing loss to understand. It may seem like people’s voices are muffled, especially if you’re somewhere with a lot of background noise like Columbia Place Mall.
What To Do if You Think You Have Hearing Loss
If you have experienced signs of high-frequency hearing loss, you should schedule an appointment for a hearing test as soon as possible. Hearing loss is both gradual and progressive, meaning it will continue to get worse without treatment.
Hearing tests are a quick and painless way for your audiologist to determine the cause and severity of any hearing loss you might have. Your results will be plotted on a chart or graph known as an audiogram. If you have high-frequency hearing loss, your hearing test will indicate difficulty hearing frequencies between 2,000 and 8,000 Hz.
How Hearing Aids Can Help
Hearing aids are an effective treatment for all types of hearing loss, including high-frequency hearing loss. In addition to the results of your hearing test, your audiologist will ask questions about your overall health, your work and home life, and other specific needs to help find a custom pair of hearing aids that best fit your lifestyle.
Not only will the right hearing aids make it easier to understand and engage with others, but they can benefit your overall health as well. People who treat their hearing loss with hearing aids experience:
- Lower levels of anxiety, frustration and depression
- Better balance and a lower risk of injury from falls
- Lower risk of cognitive decline and dementia
Take the first step in prioritizing your hearing health and call Charleston ENT & Allergy to schedule an appointment today.