Decibels and hearing loss

Sound is measured in two ways: decibels and frequencies. Decibels (dB) refer to how loud or soft a sound is, or its intensity. A person’s ability—or lack thereof—to hear sounds in certain decibel ranges helps indicate if they have hearing loss and how severe it is. Levels of hearing loss, decibels that can be perceived and at what frequencies can all be determined through a hearing test performed by a licensed hearing professional.

Low vs. high frequency sounds

Sound frequency is measured in hertz (Hz) and refers to how “high” or “low” a sound is, or its pitch. The lower the number, the lower the pitch of that sound. Most everyday sounds we hear fall within 250 to 6,000 Hz, though the full range of sounds a person with normal hearing can detect ranges from 20 to 20,000 Hz.

Low vs. high frequency hearing loss

Typically, high frequency sounds are the first to get missed when someone has hearing loss. Why? The hair (or nerve) cells in our inner ear that perceive higher pitched sounds are more likely to get damaged first, based on the anatomy of our inner ear. These nerve cells can get damaged for a number of reasons, but exposure to loud sounds is one of the most common reasons, leading to noise-induced hearing loss.

Someone with high frequency hearing loss has trouble hearing sounds in the 2,000 to 8,000 Hz range. They often find it difficult to understand women and children when they speak, due to the high pitch sound of those voices. Certain high-pitched consonants like “f,” “s” and “th” (4,000-5,000 Hz) also might get missed, causing speech to sound muffled or garbled.

In contrast, low frequency hearing loss means it is more difficult to hear or understand low frequency sounds, such as the hum of a refrigerator or roar of a garbage truck. This type of hearing loss is often due to genetic factors, a congenital defect or a malformation in the inner ear (cochlea).

If you or a loved one is missing everyday sounds or experiencing any of these signs of hearing loss, book a free hearing test with Miracle-Ear today. Our hearing specialists will be able to help you understand any hearing loss you may be experiencing and help guide you towards the best treatment options for you.