Hearing impairments affect people differently. Hearing losses vary in severity, the length of time over which the hearing loss developed, the stability or worsening of the hearing loss, and if the hearing loss affects one or both ears.

Some hearing loss limits the person’s ability to hear high frequency sounds. This is called high frequency hearing loss. People with high-frequency hearing loss have normal hearing for low frequency sounds.

Hearing loss may be high-frequency or low frequency hearing loss. Hearing tests identify which types of sounds are affected. The sounds that a person with high-frequency hearing loss has difficulty hearing are high-pitched sounds.

High frequency hearing loss may impair a person’s ability to hear the voices of women and children clearly. This type of hearing loss can distort speech and make it difficult for the person to hear some consonants. Words that rhyme may be misheard and confused. An example of consonant sounds that are often confused by people with high-frequency hearing loss are the SH and CH sounds.

Older hearing aids did not correct high frequency hearing loss effectively. With advances in technology, new hearing aids are able to treat this type of hearing loss. Open fit hearing aids may be used since they can be programmed to amplify high pitched sounds while allowing low frequency sound into the ear since the ear canal is not blocked by this type of hearing aid.

High-frequency hearing loss can be caused several ways. One common cause of high-frequency hearing loss is exposure to loud noise. Noise-induced hearing loss can be caused by working in a loud, noisy setting.

People who work in an industrial setting, professional musicians, and sound technicians for music performances are examples of occupations that may cause a risk of high-frequency hearing loss due to noise exposure. Another common type of hearing loss, age-related hearing loss, is often high-frequency hearing loss.

In some cases, high-frequency hearing loss can be prevented. Avoiding exposure to loud noises can reduce the risk of hearing loss. If someone must be exposed to loud sounds, the person can protect their hearing by using protective gear like earplugs.