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Hearing Beyond the Ordinary: Understanding High Frequency Audiometry - By Acoustik Hearing

Standard hearing tests stop at 8 kHz — the range covering most speech sounds. But human hearing extends to 20 kHz, and inner ear damage often shows up in these higher frequencies years before affecting standard results. High Frequency (Extended High-Frequency/EHF) Audiometry tests exactly this overlooked range.

What Is High Frequency Audiometry?

This test measures hearing thresholds from 8 kHz up to 20 kHz, using the same method as standard air conduction audiometry, but with specialized calibrated headphones capable of delivering these higher pitches accurately.

Test Specifications

Duration: 15–20 min, in addition to standard audiometry
Equipment: Audiometer with high-frequency license and calibrated HF transducer
Preparation: Clear ear canal; very quiet test environment, as HF thresholds are highly sensitive to ambient noise
Setting: Sound-treated room at the clinic
Age Group: Adolescents through seniors

Procedure of the Test

Otoscopy check to confirm the ear canal is clear.
Standard pure tone audiometry (250 Hz–8 kHz) performed first, if not already done.
Specialized HF headphones fitted; the audiometer's HF output selected.
Tones between 8–20 kHz presented in a quiet environment, using the same ascending technique as standard audiometry.
Results plotted alongside the standard audiogram for a complete profile.

Why Is the Test Done?

Detects early cochlear damage, often years before standard audiogram changes
Assesses tinnitus patients, since tinnitus pitch is frequently above 8 kHz
Monitors ototoxic medication patients to catch early damage and guide dosing
Evaluates noise exposure, acoustic trauma, or radiation near the ear

What Will the Result Show?

Hearing thresholds (dB HL) at each frequency between 8 kHz and 20 kHz, compared against expected values for age.

Interpretation

Normal: "High-frequency thresholds within expected range for age. No early cochlear changes identified."
Mild Elevation: "Mild threshold elevation — early changes possible; correlate with history and monitor."
Significant Elevation: "Significant elevation despite a normal standard audiogram — consistent with early cochlear damage. Hearing protection counselling and follow-up recommended."
Correlating with Tinnitus: "High-frequency loss matching reported tinnitus pitch — supports a cochlear origin for symptoms."

Can be paired with the Audible Contrast Threshold (ACT) test — high frequencies flag early changes, ACT reveals real-world listening difficulty.

High frequency audiometry needs specialized equipment and a very quiet setting, so it's performed at our clinic. Acoustik Hearing and Speech Clinic brings pure tone audiometry and hearing aid trials to your home across @Mumbai, @Navi Mumbai, and @Thane.

Book your pure tone audiometry and hearing aid trial at home, or schedule your high frequency audiometry at our clinic.

#HighFrequencyAudiometry #ExtendedHighFrequency #EarlyHearingLossDetection #TinnitusAwareness #OtotoxicityMonitoring #HearingDiagnostics #PureToneAudiometry #HearingAidTrial #AcoustikHearingAndSpeechClinic #HomeVisitAudiometry #HearingAidsMumbai #NaviMumbaiHealthcare #ThaneHealthcare #AudiologyIndia #SeniorCareAtHome #HearYourBest #MumbaiHearingClinic

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