Hearing aids for low-frequency hearing loss

• People with low-frequency hearing loss have a hard time hearing low-pitched noises. Sounds below 2,000 Hz can be completely missed.
• Early signs of low-frequency hearing loss can be subtle. For example, missing the sound of the garbage truck driving by or asking someone on the phone to repeat themselves. 
• Low-frequency hearing loss is an uncommon type of hearing loss, but advanced age, noise exposure, and injury can increase the risk.
• Sensorineural and conductive hearing loss are the two types of low-frequency hearing loss.
• Correction is typically only effective in the early stages. Hearing aids can help manage chronic low-frequency hearing loss.

Low-frequency hearing loss is identified by the inability to hear low-pitched sounds. Its symptoms often include difficulty hearing:

• Humming from the refrigerator 
• Low rumbling of an engine, like passing cars or airplanes
• Bass sounds from instruments
• Thunder booms and cracks 
• Voices deep or spoken at a low volume (it may be harder to hear men’s voices)
• Phone conversations 
• Vowels (these are often spoken in a lower pitch than consonants)

Treatment or management resources for low-frequency hearing loss are often available. But first, it is important to know what type of low-frequency hearing loss you have. There are two types of low-frequency hearing loss: sensorineural and conductive. 

• Sensorineural hearing loss is a result of damage or injury to the inner ear hair cells, the vestibulocochlear nerve, or the brain’s processing centers³. 
• Conductive hearing loss is most often caused by sound blockage in the outer or middle ear, including the ear canal and eardrum. This can be from wax and fluid buildup or physical abnormalities⁴. 

During the acute stages, sensorineural hearing loss can be corrected with prescription hearing aid treatment, while conductive hearing loss may be corrected by the removal of wax or fluid, though sometimes surgery is required.

However, in the case of chronic hearing loss, the best management solution is hearing aids. To find the best hearing solution, it’s always best to go in for a hearing test and speak with a hearing care professional (HCP) to find options tailored to your hearing needs.

The right kind of hearing aid can make all the difference! Here’s what to look for during your hearing aid search:

• Sound channel customization offers specific control of low frequencies to amplify
• Wide dynamic range compression (WDRC) balances sound by softening loud low frequencies while enhancing softer ones
• Directional microphones transfer speech clearly while limiting additional noises in the environment
• Bluetooth connectivity allows you to connect your hearing aids directly to Bluetooth-enabled devices like smartphones and TVs