1. Consonant sounds are hard to hear.
“Was that show or throw?”
If you can’t hear high-frequency sounds such as S, F, Th, Sh, V, K, and P, you may misunderstand parts of a conversation as a result.
2. The birds seem to have disappeared.
When was the last time you heard birds singing or crickets chirping? Do you hear your car’s turn signal? These sounds register at high frequencies.
3. It’s hard to understand conversation in crowded places.
Those with high-frequency hearing loss may experience the inability to hear speech in noisy places. This may mean you end up avoiding gatherings where you need to concentrate on understanding the conversation.
4. You’re strained and exhausted from trying to listen.
If you are more tired than usual at the end of the day, then you may have listening fatigue. It may be surprising to learn that hearing is a brain activity.
5. Your ears ring.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) estimates that 50 million people suffer from tinnitus at some level, making it one of the most common health conditions in the country. Researchers believe tinnitus may be the brain’s way of filling in the missing frequencies it no longer receives from the auditory system. High-frequency hearing loss usually means hair cells in the inner ear have been damaged. Although it isn’t curable, it can be treated with hearing aids or cochlear implants.
