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What is Low-Frequency Hearing Loss?
The causes, risks, symptoms and treatments of low-frequency hearing loss
Hearing loss affects many people across the UK, this article explores the specific type known as low-frequency hearing loss. Low-frequency sounds are characterised by their lower pitch and include sounds such as the rumbling of thunder, the deep bass notes in music and the low tones of human voices.
While high-frequency hearing loss is more widely recognised, low-frequency hearing loss presents its own unique challenges. We will also explore the causes, symptoms, impact and treatment options associated with low-frequency hearing loss in this article. Understanding the causes and risk associated with low-frequency hearing loss is crucial for prevention, early detection and targeted treatments.
What type of hearing loss is low-frequency hearing loss?
What are low-frequency sounds?
Low-frequency sounds are characterised by their lower pitch and longer wavelengths. These sounds typically range from 20 to 250 Hertz and include deep bass tones, the thumping of drums and the rumbling of machinery.
Due to their longer wavelengths, low-frequency sounds can travel further distances and penetrate obstacles more effectively than high-frequency sounds. Understanding the unique qualities of low-frequency sounds is essential in comprehending the specific challenges and impact associated with low-frequency hearing loss.
Signs and symptoms of low-frequency hearing loss
What should I look out for in regard to low-frequency hearing loss? Individuals with this type of hearing loss often have difficulty hearing and understanding low-pitched sounds, including voices of certain genders or deep tones in music. They may experience a decreased ability to detect vibrations or feel the bass in music.
Additionally, speech perception in noisy environments may become challenging, as low-frequency sounds often contribute to background noise. Other common symptoms include a sense of muffled or distorted sound, difficulty locating sounds and an increased reliance on visual cues for communication.
Causes and risk factors of low-frequency hearing loss
Can I protect myself from low-frequency hearing loss? Low-frequency hearing loss can be caused by a variety of factors, both acquired and hereditary. Some common causes include exposure to loud noises over an extended period of time, certain medical conditions, genetic predisposition and ageing.
Prolonged exposure to high-intensity low-frequency sounds, such as machinery noise or loud music, can damage the delicate structures of the inner ear responsible for processing these frequencies.
Medical conditions like Meniere's disease and otosclerosis (the hardening of the hairs in the ear), as well as certain medications known to have ototoxic effects, can also contribute to low-frequency hearing loss. Additionally, as we age, the natural degeneration of the auditory system can lead to a gradual decline in our ability to perceive low-frequency sounds.
Testing for low-frequency hearing loss
What can I expect in a hearing test?
Hearing healthcare professionals employ various diagnostic tests to assess the extent and nature of the hearing loss. One common test is pure-tone audiometry, which measures an individual's hearing thresholds across different frequencies, including low frequencies.
The results are plotted on an audiogram, providing a comprehensive picture of the individual's hearing abilities. Speech audiometry may also be conducted to evaluate the person's speech perception and understanding in both quiet and noisy environments.
Furthermore, additional in-depth tests may then be used to evaluate the condition of the middle ear, cochlea, and auditory nerves in certain cases. These diagnostic tests help clinicians determine the type, severity and underlying causes of low-frequency hearing loss - guiding the development of personalised treatment strategies.
Treatment options for low-frequency hearing loss
Can low-frequency hearing loss be cured? While there is no cure for low-frequency hearing loss, several treatment options can help individuals manage their condition and improve their quality of life. The choice of treatment depends on factors such as the severity of hearing loss, the underlying cause and the individual’s specific needs.
Treatments include:
- Hearing aids: Modern digital hearing aids can be programmed to specifically address low-frequency sounds - improving the perception of bass tones and low-pitched voices. Many offer Bluetooth connectivity and companion apps through which levels can be adjusted by the individual.
- Speech therapy: Speech and communication therapy can be beneficial for individuals with low-frequency hearing loss as these therapies focus on improving speech perception, communication strategies and enhancing listening skills in challenging listening environments.
- Cochlear implants: Cochlear implants are electronic devices that can provide direct stimulation to the auditory nerve, allowing individuals with severe hearing loss (usually sensorineural). Cochlear implants could help with either high or low-frequency hearing loss.
Impact and coping strategies for individuals with low-frequency hearing loss
What can I do to lessen the effects of low-frequency hearing loss?
Low-frequency hearing loss can have a significant impact on an individual's ability to perceive and understand deep sounds, affecting their enjoyment of music, speech comprehension and overall communication in various environments. These effects can all lead to a sense of isolation and reduced quality of life.
Making certain adjustments in daily life and the environment can help, including minimising exposure to loud noises, optimising room acoustics, using visual cues in communication. Friends and family can provide support and help by practicing clear and direct communication, using visual cues, being patient and understanding, and choosing environments that minimises background noise such meeting in quiet cafes over loud bars.
Conclusion
Low-frequency hearing loss presents unique challenges for individuals, impacting their ability to perceive and understand deep sounds and affecting their overall communication and quality of life. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and impact of low-frequency hearing loss, we can ensure a speedy diagnosis and appropriate treatment strategies can be initiated, including the use of hearing aids.
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Think you may be struggling with low-frequency hearing loss?
It is essential to recognise the significant impact of low-frequency hearing loss and implement coping strategies, while friends and family can play a major role in providing support and assistance. Raising awareness and fostering an inclusive environment can help individuals with low-frequency hearing loss lead fulfilling lives despite these challenges.
If you would like to ask us anything surrounding this article, need additional support on hearing aids, hearing loss or booking a hearing test - call us free on 0800 567 7621
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Common FAQs about hearing aids and hearing loss
If you are looking at this page then it is likely that an audiologist has suggested that you purchase this particular hearing aid, so is this the best model for you?
In general, any audiologist will always be recommending to you the model that best suits your needs. Here is a useful check list to make sure that is the case.
- Audiologist level of knowledge. The audiologist you have seen will hopefully have a wide knowledge of all available hearing aids, however some will only be familiar with a small number of brands and therefore may not really be in a position to know which model is the best for you. It is OK to challenge their recommendation and ask them to justify why this particular brand is the one for you.
- Do research. Read about the hearing aid that was recommended. Does it seem like it will suit your lifestyle? Does it have more or less features than you need?
- Be aware of sales targets. Many high street retailers have specific tie-ins to a particular manufacturer/brand. The hearing aid they have suggested may still be the correct one for you, but do your research so that you know why they might have recommended it.
If in doubt, feel free to give us a call. That's what we're here for.
If you have a significant hearing loss in both ears, you should be wearing two hearing aids. Here are the audiological reasons why:
Localisation. The brain decodes information from both ears and compares and contrasts them. By analysing the miniscule time delays as well as the difference in loudness of each sound reaching the ears, the person is able to accurately locate a sound source. Simply put, if you have better hearing on one side than the other, you can't accurately tell what direction sounds are coming from.
Less amplification required. A phenomena known as “binaural summation” means that the hearing aids can be set at a lower and more natural volume setting than than if you wore only one hearing aid.
Head shadow effect. High frequencies, the part of your hearing that gives clarity and meaning to speech sounds, cannot bend around your head. Only low frequencies can. Therefore if someone is talking on your unaided side you are likely to hear that they are speaking, but be unable to tell what they have said.
Noise reduction. The brain has it’s own built in noise reduction which is only really effective when it is receiving information from both ears. If only one ear is aided, even with the best hearing aid in the world, it will be difficult for you to hear in background noise as your brain is trying to retain all of the sounds (including background noise) rather than filtering it out.
Sound quality. We are designed to hear in stereo. Only hearing from one side sounds a lot less natural to us.
For most people, the main benefit of a rechargeable hearing aid is simple convenience. We are used to plugging in our phones and other devices overnight for them to charge up.
For anybody with poor dexterity or issues with their fingers, having a rechargeable aid makes a huge difference as normal hearing aid batteries are quite small and some people find them fiddly to change.
One downside is that if you forget to charge your hearing aid, then it is a problem that can't be instantly fixed. For most a 30 minute charge will get you at least two or three hours of hearing, but if you are the type of person who is likely to forget to plug them in regularly then you're probably better off with standard batteries.
Rechargeable aids are also a little bit bigger and are only available in behind the ear models.
Finally, just like with a mobile phone, the amount of charge you get on day one is not going to be the same as you get a few years down the line. Be sure to ask what the policy is with the manufacturer warranty when it comes to replacing the battery.
For most people, the answer is yes. But it's never that simple.
The majority of hearing problems affect the high frequencies a lot more than the low ones. Therefore open fitting hearing aids sound a lot more natural and ones that block your ears up can make your own voice sound like you are talking with your head in a bucket. Therefore in-ear aids tend to be less natural.
However the true answer is we can't tell until we have had a look in your ears to assess the size of your ear canal, and until we have tested your hearing to see which frequencies are being affected.
People with wider ear canals tend to have more flexibility, also there are open fitting modular CIC hearing aids now that do not block your ears.
There is also the age old rule to consider, that a hearing aid will not help you if it's sat in the drawer gathering dust. If the only hearing aid you would be happy wearing is one that people can't see, then that's what you should get.
Most people can adapt to any type of hearing aid, as long as they know what to expect. Have an honest conversation with your audiologist as to what your needs are.
Generally speaking, six or more. Unless it's none at all.
The number of channels a hearing aid has is often a simplistic way an audiologist will use to explain why one hearing aid is better than another, but channels are complex and it is really not that straightforward.
Hearing aids amplify sounds of different frequencies by different amounts. Most people have lost more high frequencies than low and therefore need more amplification in the high frequencies. The range of sounds you hear are split into frequency bands or channels and the hearing aids are set to provide the right amount of hearing at each frequency level.
Less than six channels and this cannot be done with much accuracy, so six is the magic number. However, a six channel aid is typically very basic with few other features and is suitable only for hearing a single speaker in a quiet room. The number of channels is not what you should be looking at, it's more the rest of the technology that comes with them.
As a final note, different manufacturers have different approaches. One method is not necessarily better than any other. For example some manufacturers have as many as 64 channels in their top aids. Most tend to have between 17 and 20. One manufacturer has no channels at all.
Hearing aids are easily lost, misplaced or damaged and typically are one of the most expensive personal possessions an individual can own. We offer hearing aid warranty cover for £80 per year per aid. Find out more here
All our audiologists use the very latest technology and provide the full range of tests to accurately measure your hearing for free. Find out about what we offer all our customers here
Hearing Aid UK offers all their customers free home visiting services and home visits for hearing aids - Including hearing tests, fittings, maintenance, check-ups and much more in the comfort of your own home and at your convenience. Find out more information here
Here, at Hearing Aid UK, we are dedicated to offering low hearing aid prices. We achieve this by having no head office and low marketing costs. Our hearing aid prices are amongst the lowest you will find anywhere in the world.
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