Navigating the world of hearing aids can be as overwhelming as it is essential. For those living with high-frequency hearing loss, the significance of finding the right hearing aid cannot be overstated. As an audiologist, I have guided countless individuals through the process of choosing the right hearing solution, particularly for the nuances of high-frequency loss. In this article, we’ll explore what high-frequency hearing loss means, demystify how different types of hearing aids can help, and foster a deeper understanding of what features to prioritize.
High-Frequency Hearing Loss
It's critical to have a clear understanding of high-frequency hearing loss, which primarily affects the ability to hear sounds at high pitches. If you have this type of hearing loss, you may struggle to understand women's or children’s voices, the chirping of birds, or high-pitched alarms, among other high-frequency sounds. In conversation, high-frequency loss can make it challenging to follow certain consonant sounds like 's,' 'f,' 't,' and 'z,' leading to speech sounding mumbled or unclear.
Other signs of high-frequency hearing loss may include the tendency to turn the television volume higher, yet finding that clarity remains elusive. Even if soft sounds are audible, distinguishing speech, particularly amid background noise, becomes a strenuous task. This often leads to a reliance on lipreading to fully grasp conversations. Importantly, high-frequency hearing loss might not manifest through an immediate change in auditory perception; rather, it could be subtly indicated by a persistent ringing in the ears, known as tinnitus. Understanding these signs is pivotal in acknowledging the presence of high-frequency hearing loss and taking the necessary steps towards managing it.
Identifying Your Unique Needs
One thing I've learned over the years is that if you've treated one person with high-frequency hearing loss, you've treated one person with high-frequency hearing loss. In other words, high-frequency hearing loss is not all the same, just as not all people are the same. This variability means that personalizing hearing care and not adopting a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment. Whether it's the duration of the hearing loss, treatment care model, or the individual's lifestyle, needs, and preferences, each aspect plays a critical role in selecting the right hearing aid. What works splendidly for one individual might be wholly inadequate for another, making it essential to tailor the solution to the person, not just the hearing loss. Let's look at some factors to consider when it comes to care model.
Do you need to see a doctor?
This is an important consideration - not everyone will need to see a doctor to pursue amplification, but I highly recommend having a thorough hearing test if you've never had one. This allows you to rule out any instances of asymmetric hearing loss, which can be an indicator of other medical conditions that might require specialized treatment. Definitely, you'll need to see a doctor if you've experienced sudden hearing loss, ringing in just one ear, or dizziness, as well as any symptoms of ear pain, pressure, fullness, perforations, or drainage. These symptoms can signal underlying issues that need immediate attention from a medical professional. Remember, the goal is not just to treat the hearing loss but to ensure overall ear health and function, safeguarding your auditory system for the long term.
To sum up, for complex ear histories, asymmetric hearing loss, or other unique needs, seeing an audiologist for in-person care is crucial. An in-person evaluation allows for a comprehensive assessment of your hearing and ear health by a professional who can recognize and diagnose subtle or complex conditions. This level of personalized, professional attention ensures that any hearing solution recommended is truly optimized for your specific conditions. Remember, when it comes to your hearing health, the guidance and care of a qualified audiologist can make a significant difference in not just how well you hear, but how well you live.
How steep is your sloping hearing loss?
When considering the best hearing aids for high-frequency hearing loss, the steepness of the loss is a pivotal factor that influences both the selection and the expected outcomes. If your hearing loss begins at 3000 or 4000 Hz with a gentle slope, the options available and the quality of sound you can anticipate will significantly differ from those with a steeply sloping high-frequency hearing loss. For example, for individuals whose hearing loss sharply declines from 1000 Hz and above, the situation demands a different approach.
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This steep drop-off can severely impact your ability to perceive higher-frequency sounds, making it crucial to select hearing aids equipped with advanced features capable of not only amplifying these frequencies but also ensuring clarity and minimizing background noise. Understanding this distinction is key to setting realistic expectations and ultimately enhancing your hearing experience.
Those with high-frequency hearing loss need hearing aids that prioritize understanding speech against background noise, as well as devices that can help them boost those high frequency sounds but also don't occlude the ear (leading to a 'plugged ear' sound). Often, those with high frequency hearing loss have the best hearing in the low frequencies, which requires the right earmold vent size or dome tip type for best sound quality.
Your specific hearing profile, including the degree of your high-frequency loss and whether it’s accompanied by any mid or low-frequency concerns, will also dictate which style of hearing aid will work best for you. However, most patients prefer the sound of a RIC hearing aid, which allows for the use of good, natural low-frequency hearing.
Are you looking for situational support or continuous wear?
While I encourage patients to wear their hearing aids regularly, especially during their trial period as they're adjusting to hearing aids, I know some people are looking for situational support. Maybe it's only a few hours each day or only during specific events, meetings, or other situations. There’s no right or wrong answer here – it's all about fitting the hearing aid to the individual's lifestyle and needs. If you're someone who wants occasional amplification, there are options like OTC hearing aids that can provide on-demand support when needed. On the other hand, if you want continuous wear, you'll likely want to consider Telehealth or prescription hearing aid care models.
Unpacking the Selection Process
Choosing a hearing aid is a personal process. There is a lot that goes into the decision-making process, ranging from lifestyle factors to financial considerations. It’s a transition worth investing time and thought, as your hearing aid will become a constant companion in your daily life – one that shapes the world you hear. We'll break down the main categories here.
The Tech Level Dilemma
When contemplating the tech level, consider your lifestyle demands. Are you frequently in noisy environments? Do you partake in hobbies that require a keen ear for detail? Technological aids can offer features like additional processing channels, stronger noise reduction, and more customization, making these tasks more manageable and enjoyable.
Types of Hearing Aids for High-Frequency Hearing Loss
Selecting the right type of hearing aid can significantly impact your experience. For high-frequency hearing loss, certain styles offer more direct amplification of the sounds you're struggling to hear. The two main styles patients choose are RIC hearing aids (the most popular) or custom hearing aids.
Receiver-in-Canal (RIC)
RIC hearing aids are suitable for a wide range of hearing losses, including high-frequency. They sit comfortably behind or on top of the ear and are connected to the ear canal with a thin wire. These devices are the most popular as manufacturers release new iterations first as a RIC device, and they have plenty of Bluetooth, Smartphone app, and other features that many patients also find appealing.
Custom hearing aids
For the more discreet user, CIC and IIC hearing aids sit deep inside the ear canal. These styles are custom-molded to fit your specific ear canal geometry. While these hearing aids fit a range of mild to severe hearing loss, I tend to steer patients with normal low frequency hearing away from this option due to sound quality. Venting can help to make your ear sound less plugged, but if you have normal low frequency hearing, you will likely not enjoy the sound. Additionally, smaller hearing aids may not have Bluetooth capability.
The Best Hearing Aids for High Frequency Hearing Loss
RIC hearing aids are the most popular choice for high frequency hearing loss. Below are our top picks.
- GN ReSound NEXIA
- Oticon Intent
- Phonak Lumity
- Signia Charge&Go IX
Some people prefer to go with custom hearing aids. Here are our top picks.
- Starkey Genesis
- Oticon custom
Phonak Lumity hearing aids are new in August 2022 and replace the world's most popular hearing aid (Audéo Paradise).
Lumity get’s top marks from audiologists for stable Bluetooth connection, precise customization and impressive accessories like the Phonak Roger Pen.
Think of this hearing aid as the Mercedes level. High-end, built by the world's largest hearing company and packed with all the tech you could want.
- Overall Notes: Audéo Lumity is the #1 hearing aid on the market by sales volume. It offers best-in-class Bluetooth streaming, powerful sound algorithms, remote care, and an innovative ear vent. If you can swing the cost for this premium device, chances are that you'll be very happy.
- Price: The national average price for Phonak Lumity is $6,213 per pair. In my price research I found two larger providers who offer lower prices starting at $3,195/pair. Click here for more on prices.
- Features: Rechargeable, Bluetooth and hands-free calling, behind the ear style, motion sensors
- What audiologists say: “Our patients say that the sound is clear and crisp, while maintaining natural sound quality. Patients also love the unique ability to pair with almost any cell phone and take calls hands-free.” - Garrett Thompson, AuD
Top of the line customization, Bluetooth connection and rechargeable batteries
Enhanced background noise reduction
Highly water-resistant option available for active lifestyles
Audeo Lumity is a premium product with an average price of $3,198 - $7,000 per pair
Phonak manages sound quality in a way that can lead to a "closed off" feeling compared to Oticon or ReSound's more open sound quality
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Oticon is the second most popular hearing aid brand (after Phonak). The brand has built a fanbase around its “open” sound philosophy by using advanced methods to support natural sound. Their newest device, the Oticon Intent, goes a step further, offering open sound quality customized to the user’s intent.
The newly designed devices continuously adapt based on four built-in sensors. Together, the brand calls this MoreSound Intelligence 3.0.
- Conversation sensors: Search your soundscape for speech sounds.
- Head sensors: Track your movement to gather information about where you are focused.
- Body sensors: Track your movement through the room and open the field of sound when you walk
- Acoustic sensors: Analyze background noises, echo and room dimensions
None of these sensors are brand new to the world of hearing aids, but Oticon claims to be the first brand to use all four together in one connected system. Add in Oticon's already impressive Deep Neural Network and you get what might be the smartest hearing aid in the industry.
- Overall notes: Oticon Real is an undisputed leader among top-tier hearing aids. If you are attracted to the idea of hearing more of the sounds around you vs. solely focusing on voices, this product is a great choice.
- Price: The national average price for Oticon Intent is $6,330 per pair. In my price research I found some national providers with prices as low as $2,898/pair. Click here for more on prices.
- Features: Rechargeable, Bluetooth LE Audio, Behind The Ear Style
- What audiologists say: “Oticon is among the best. If you are looking for all-around, top-of-the-line technology, this is an excellent choice.” - Ramsay Poindexter, AuD
Open sound quality that many users prefer
Bluetooth streaming from Android and Apple devices
Offered with both rechargeable and disposable batteries
Oticon Real hearing aids start at $2,898 and can cost as much as $7,000 with walk in care
Oticon Real hearing aids require a visit to an in person audiologist and are not sold online
ReSound unveiled NEXIA in October 2023. If you’ve read our past reviews, you might know that ReSound is a regular innovator in the hearing category.
The brand was the first to partner with Apple for Bluetooth streaming back in 2013. In 2022, ReSound released an impressive algorithm update with improved beam-forming tech that boasted a 150% improvement in background noise.
ReSound is also the only manufacturer that places a microphone inside the ear to use the natural shape of the pinna to sort out background noise. Those popular features will remain with ReSound NEXIA with some exciting additions.
The first is a visible reduction in size. Impressively, NEXIA maintains a 30-hour battery life while cutting 25% off the overall size—big thumbs up from us.
The second big announcement is that NEXIA has an updated Bluetooth capability that allows Auracast streaming in public places. If you aren’t familiar with Auracast, check out our guide to the topic here.
ReSound is among the best in the industry at separating speech and noise in a background situation. Our lead audiologist recently put NEXIA in a test box and found the hearing aids could consistently provide up to 8-10 dB of background noise reduction.
ReSound NEXIA is on most of our shortlists for the best premium, receiver-in-canal hearing aids on the market.
- Overall notes: ReSound NEXIA is an all around excellent product with an innovative approach to microphones and one of the smallest form factors in the industry. ReSound NEXIA has strong Bluetooth connection that now boasts Auracast compatibility.
- Price: The national average price for ReSound NEXIA is $7,410 per pair. In our price research we've found some national providers with prices as low as $3,198/pair. Click here for more on prices.
- Features: Rechargeable, Bluetooth with hands-free calling for iPhone and iPad, Small behind the ear style
- What audiologists say: “ReSound offers elegant design and good (if not elite) sound quality. These hearing aids are high quality and reliable.” - Garrett Thompson, AuD
Great for background noise management
Auracast compatible
Small form factor and an optional 3rd microphone in the ear
More expensive compared to direct to consumer and OTC options
NEXIA's in-ear M&RIE microphone is a bit larger and can be uncomfortable for some
Signia Pure Charge&Go hearing aids were released in October 2023. They are among the smallest behind-the-ear devices on the market in 2023 and amazingly hold nearly 40 hours per charge (second only to Starkey Genesis AI). Signia is known for limiting background noise by using motion detection to gather information about your surroundings as you move from one space to the next. Their new IX line of devices uses updated beam-forming to track multiple conversations at once. The hearing aids automatically sense when you start walking or sit down and make intelligent decisions about where to focus.
- Overall notes: Signia Charge&Go IX is a hearing aid for someone on the go. It's the smallest, has the most extended battery life, and offers best-in-class motion-based adjustments.
- Price: The national average price for Signia 7IX hearing aids is around $7,400 per pair. We've found some national providers with prices as low as $3,198/pair. Click here for more on prices.
- Features: Rechargeable, Bluetooth, Behind The Ear Style
- What audiologists say: “Signia offers hands-free streaming (for iOS) and connectivity with their app. It is a solid device with impressive specs and design." - Garrett Thompson, AuD
Among the smallest body size on the market
Second longest battery with 40 hours per charge
Fully customizable with premium sound processing
Only sold through local clinics at $3,198 - $7,000 a pair
Does not include a Find My Hearing Aids feature
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Starkey Genesis AI Custom
Starkey Genesis AI Custom
Starkey is a U.S.-based manufacturer with a full line of hearing aids that includes behind the ear and in-the-ear styles. They make the list for their elite status in custom molded (nearly invisible products). If you can afford to pay medical-grade prices and want an invisible style, you won’t be disappointed by Starkey.
Starkey is known for intelligent features like fitness tracking, a virtual assistant, and the smallest Bluetooth hearing aid on the market.
- Overall Notes: Starkey Genesis AI is broadly considered the best for custom mold hearing aids. If you want a custom mold, and lead an active lifestyle, this product is a great choice.
- Price: The national average price for Starkey Genesis Custom hearing aids is $6,443 per pair. Our research indicates that you can get Starkey Custom devices for as low as $3,198 for a pair. Click here for more on prices.
- Features: Full range of styles and features including Bluetooth, rechargeability, and fitness tracking for larger devices.
- What audiologists say: “Starkey has been making the smallest and best custom hearing aids for decades. Genesis AI is currently the smallest custom device on the market with Bluetooth streaming capabilities.” - Ramsay Poindexter, AuD
Smallest models are almost entirely invisible
Starkey is a leader in comfortable custom molded products
Larger sizes come with Bluetooth streaming and rechargeable batteries
This is a premium device which costs $3,000-$7,000 per pair
Custom molds require additional lead time and replacement time
The smallest version of Starkey Genesis AI customs are not Bluetooth enabled or rechargeable
August 2022, Oticon released the latest operating system across a new line of custom styles called Oticon Own.
The most significant innovation in the new Own hearing aids is the use of deep learning to choose which sounds to amplify.
Oticon built its new operating system by capturing over 12M sounds from everyday environments and using deep learning technology to create a sophisticated sound algorithm that sorts out background noise. Deep learning is the same technology that Google and other tech giants use to process millions of data points and get smarter over time.
The result of all this technology is that new Oticon Own hearing aids require 30% less listening effort than previous generations.
- Overall Notes: Oticon Own is an excellent option if you don't mind changing batteries and want the latest sound processing technology. People love the "open" sound quality, and the smallest sizes are truly invisible in most ears.
- Price: The national average price for Oticon Own custom hearing aids is $7,500 per pair. Our research indicates that you can get Oticon Custom devices for as low as $3,198 for a pair. Click here for more on prices.
- Features: Full range of styles and features including Bluetooth and rechargeability (depending on selected size)
- Oticon Own hearing aids are designed for mild to severe hearing loss, making them a versatile option for many users.
- They are available in IIC and CIC sizes, which are discreet and comfortable to wear.
- They include an optional push button or volume wheel, as well as binaural connection between hearing aids to improve directionality, giving users more control over their hearing aids.
- ITC and Full-Shell sizes allow for Bluetooth connection and telehealth programming after an initial appointment.
- Oticon Own hearing aids are only available through prescription channels, so you'll need to purchase them locally instead of over-the-counter or through telehealth.
- They are a premium-priced product, which may not be affordable for all users.
- Oticon Own does not offer a rechargeable option.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right hearing aid is more than just a technical decision; it's about enhancing your quality of life and reconnecting you with the world around you. Navigating through the complexities of high-frequency hearing loss, understanding the implications of your hearing profile, and finding a hearing solution that aligns with your lifestyle can seem daunting. However, remember, you're not alone in this journey. With the assistance of a dedicated audiologist and a clear understanding of your personal needs, you can make an informed choice that truly transforms your hearing experience. The path to improved hearing is deeply personal, and with the right support and technology, you can enjoy the rich tapestry of sounds that life has to offer.
