Low-frequency hearing loss
What is a low-frequency hearing loss?
A low-frequency hearing loss is a hearing loss where you cannot hear sounds that occur in the lower end of the frequencies, which are typically frequencies of 2,000 Hz or lower. These frequencies are also called the deeper or low-pitched sounds.
Symptoms of low-frequency hearing loss
It can be difficult to identify a low-frequency hearing loss. People with a low-frequency hearing loss are often still able to understand normal speech and to take part in conversations.
However, a symptom can be difficulties hearing conversation within groups of people or problems hearing well in noisy environments and in places with background noise. Another symptom can be that it is difficult to hear the bass sounds when listening to music.
Causes of low-frequency hearing loss
Causes of low-frequency hearing loss can be age, noise, diseases or infections. It may also be caused by genetic factors. A low-frequency hearing loss is typically a sensorineural hearing loss, which is a hearing loss normally caused by damage to the hair cells in the inner ear that receive the sounds and convert them to signals that are transmitted to the brain by the auditory nerves.
Treatment of low-frequency hearing loss
A low-frequency hearing loss can be identified with a hearing test. If you think that you have a low-frequency hearing loss, you should contact your family doctor or a hearing care professional.
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