The use of high-pass amplification for broad-frequency sensorineural hearing loss

Recent research suggests that persons with sensorineural hearing impairment should derive extra benefit from amplification that eliminates or greatly reduces low frequencies, i.e. frequencies below 1 500 or 2 000 Hz. Such amplification seems to reduce the detrimental effects of the upward spread of masking on speech intelligibility, especially when listening in noisy environments. Also, current research indicates that extended high-frequency amplification, between 4 000 and 6 500 Hz is especially beneficial for optimal speech intelligibility. 9 patients with a relatively flat, moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss were evaluated in the clinic and for daily listening situations while wearing conventional broad-frequency hearing aids with an upper range of about 4 500 Hz. They were also evaluated under these same circumstances with a hearing aid that reduces low frequencies and extends the high frequencies to nearly 6 500 Hz. Results indicate that these patients performed better and perferred the hearing aid that extends the high and reduces the low frequencies, particularly in noisy places. As a group, they did not prefer this type of amplification in quite listening situations.