High frequency hearing loss (Ski slope hearing loss) is a condition that usually affects patients over the age of 50. The condition derives its name from the appearance of the audiogram, looking like a ski slope (that is the hearing in the low frequencies is reasonable and rapidly drops off in the high frequencies). High frequency hearing loss is characterised by a loss of clarity in understanding speech in noise situations (for example a crowded restaurant). Typically patients with this type of hearing loss will require open fit hearing aids, a new generation of hearing aid that solves the problems of whistling and chewing noise that used to affect older type hearing aids.
In a small percentage of hearing aid users with high frequency “ski slope” hearing loss the hearing aids are not enough. These patients still struggle with hearing in noisy situations. When a patient is hearing only 40% of words correct in the bad ear and 70% in the good ear they may be a candidate for a brand new type of hearing implant called the Cochlear Hybrid device.
The Cochlear Hybrid has recently been launched and provides a hearing aid for the lower frequencies and a bionic ear for the higher frequencies, all in the one unit. The device is inserted much like a conventional cochlear implant however the external device has a hearing aid connected to it. The cochlear hybrid provides electric and acoustic stimulation to bring a new richness of sound to patients with “ski slope” hearing loss.
To learn more about cochlear implants and to discover simply better hearing, please visit the Northside Cochlear Implant clinic, a specialist adult cochlear implant clinic based in Sydney at:
http://www.northsidehearing.com.au/