Why are women and children sometimes more challenging to hear than men? As proof, maybe 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 individuals to struggle to hear the voices of women and children. Let’s discover the reasons behind this and discuss possible solutions.
Understanding high-frequency hearing loss
Women and children tend to have higher-pitched voices, which can impact their speech clarity for anyone with high-frequency hearing loss. It is the most prevalent kind of hearing loss. Somebody may report that they can hear soft sounds, but can’t understand why hearing their children or grandchildren is difficult. The typical 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 jumbled.
Here are a few other sounds that might be difficult to detect or hear clearly.
- Chirping birds
- Alarms
- Whistling
- High-frequency musical instruments like a flute
What causes high-frequency hearing loss?
This issue can be part of age-related hearing loss. In addition, the tiny hair-like sensory cells in the inner ear can become damaged, and this makes it harder to hear high-pitched sounds.
If you frequented loud concerts and had excessive noise exposure from work or the environment, it can be a factor. Other risk factors include genetics, certain medications like aspirin, chemo drugs, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is also related.
If kids have high-frequency hearing loss, it can impede their speech and language skill development. Older adults may face the danger of experiencing dementia, depression, and falls.
Treatments for high-frequency hearing loss
While high-frequency hearing loss is irreversible, utilizing hearing aids can significantly improve the clarity of high-pitched sounds by boosting their volume, producing a sharper and more distinct auditory experience. A hearing specialist can calibrate your hearing aids at the best setting for you.
An improved experience can be achieved in a business meeting, making phone calls, dining, or talking with your grandchild. Many hearing aids can be connected to your smartphone and have directional microphones that allow for accurate sound adjustment. Your wife will be pleased as an added advantage.
Set up a consultation if you believe you may be experiencing hearing issues at high frequencies.