Why are women and children sometimes harder to hear than men? As proof, perhaps you have noticed that some men claim they can’t hear their wives’ voices when they are restating the “to-do” list. That’s a joke, but it is fairly common for people to struggle to hear the voices of women and children. Let’s find out why, and what you can do about it.
Exploring the effects of hearing loss at high frequencies
Women and children have a tendency to have higher-pitched voices, which can impact their speech clarity for anyone with high-frequency hearing loss. It’s the most prevalent type of hearing impairment.
A person may observe they can pick up on faint noises, yet struggle to make out what their kids or grandkids are saying to them. The normal frequency range for women is between 165 and 255 Hz, while for men it is between 85 and 180 Hz.
High-frequency hearing loss can make it harder to hear consonants in speech, such as t, th, ch, soft c, s, sh, f, and k, which cause speech to sound muddled.
Additionally, the following sounds would be challenging to hear:
- Birds chirping
- Alarms
- Whistling
- High-frequency musical instruments like a flute
What causes high-frequency hearing loss?
Age-related hearing loss may include this hearing issue. Moreover, damage to the small, hair-like sensory cells found in the inner ear can lead to increased difficulty in perceiving high-frequency sounds.
Extended exposure to loud noises, including those experienced at concerts or in noisy workplaces or surroundings, can also add to the issue. Other risk factors include genetic makeups, certain medications like aspirin, chemo drugs, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is also connected.
If children have high-frequency hearing loss, it can hamper their speech and language skill development. For older people, it can include the danger of dementia, depression, and injury, causing falls.
Treatments for high-frequency hearing loss
There is no cure for high-frequency hearing loss, but getting hearing aids helps amplify high-pitched sounds, making them clearer and crisper. A hearing specialist can calibrate your hearing aids at the best setting for you.
Participating in a business meeting, talking on the phone, having meals, or talking with your grandchild can be improved. Most contemporary hearing devices can stream to your mobile phone and come equipped with directional microphones for accurate sound customization. Your wife will be pleased as an added advantage.
Book an appointment if you think you have high-frequency hearing loss.