The ability to listen depends on the small hair cells of the inner ear, which our brain interprets to understand as it receives the sound. These hair which are our sensory receptors can not be regenerated. When they are damaged or died, our hearing decreases. We measure the sound by the amount of vibration (or cycle) per second called Hertz (Hz). High frequency sounds oscillate faster and lower sounds slow. Depending on what kind of damage has occurred to the hair cells of the ear, it is decided whether the frequency of hearing loss is high or low.
high frequency
Regular human hearing range is from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz (abbreviated as 20 kHz), but its range varies from person to person. The high-order register is regarded as a sound of 2 kHz or more. Humans may be able to hear up to 20 kHz, but simple aging begins to kill the upper registers as soon as 8 years old. After 25 years old, most adults hear only up to 15 kHz. This is recognized as normal aging, but there are many other factors that further reduce high frequency hearing.
Exposure to loud noises over a long period of time is the biggest factor for high frequency deafness. Occupational noise such as construction, factory, law enforcement, military, agricultural damage etc. can destroy delicate hair cells of ear and cause frequent hearing loss. Likewise, passing through an amplifier (concert or club) or headphones (iPod or other music player) may cause irreversible damage if the ear is exposed to noisy music.
High frequency hearing loss is most pronounced in speech. High sound like "s" or "th" becomes difficult to distinguish. Female voices are often difficult to understand, and in general the voice sounds muddy. In a noisy area it becomes hard to hear, and certain sounds are significantly larger than other sounds.
The best way to prevent high frequency hearing impairment is to protect your ears. Please wear earplug when you are exposed to big noise and be careful not to play music beyond 80 decibels (60% for iPod).
Low frequency
The sound of the low frequency register (less than 2 kHz) is sound such as thunder, tube, big dog bark, or highway toll. Most humans can not listen to low frequency sound as easily as high frequency sound. Especially, it is far from the sound source. For example, in music, the subwoofer is used to amplify the base note specially, but additional amplification is not required for headphones (directly in the ear).
When low frequency hearing impairment occurs, it is generally caused by disease or inheritance. Some people are born with gene mutations in hair cells that restrict low frequency hearing. Others may suffer from Meniere's disease, a rare condition where the membrane deteriorates with time. Childhood diseases and ear infections can lead to low frequency hearing loss.
In most cases of low frequency hearing loss, subjects may not even recognize that they lost their ability to listen to bass, as many of the same sounds are still supported in the mid-to-high range, . Please think that you can still look at it with a glare. They are not only seen in glasses, but they are also managing.
Prevention of low frequency hearing loss depends on the cause. The best suggestion is to ensure ear infections, especially when chronic. Experts ensure that infection of the ears does not result in prolonged hearing loss.
processing
If the hearing loss is due to injured or dead hair cells, the treatment turns around the compensation device. Hearing aids help hair cells produce vibrations that can no longer be done by themselves. In the case of high frequency hearing loss, this is usually a very effective solution. Unfortunately, low frequency hearing loss has no same benefit. Because low frequency noise is often considered as "background noise" or ambient sound, normal hearing aids can raise the background noise and interfere with normal hearing. Special, frequently more expensive hearing aids must be used for low frequency hearing impaired persons.
Hearing loss is a natural part of aging, but it is prudent to seek professional assessment to confirm that your hearing is still healthy for your age. If you realize that your hearing has deteriorated, go to the hearing test on a regular basis and consult your Atlanta hearing loss doctor.
