Why are women and children sometimes harder to hear than men? As proof, maybe you have noticed that some men say they can’t hear their wives’ voices when they are restating the “to-do” list. That’s a joke, but it is rather common for individuals to struggle to hear the voices of women and children. Let’s figure out why, and what you can do about it.
Understanding high-frequency hearing loss
Females and young individuals often have voices that are higher in frequency, and this can influence how clearly they are able to communicate for individuals with difficulty hearing high frequencies. It’s the most prevalent form of hearing impairment.
A person may notice they can pick up on quiet noises, yet struggle to hear what their kids or grandkids are saying to them. Women have 165 to 255 Hz, while men have 85 to 180 Hz.
High-frequency hearing loss can make it difficult to hear consonants in speech, including t, th, ch, soft c, s, sh, f, and k, which cause speech to sound muddled.
Here are a number of other sounds that may be difficult to detect or hear clearly.
- Chirping birds
- Alarms
- Whistling
- High-pitched musical instruments like a flute
What are the underlying factors that contribute to hearing loss at higher sound pitches?
This problem can be part of age-related hearing loss. Additionally, the tiny hair-like sensory cells in the inner ear can become damaged, and this makes it harder to hear high-pitched sounds.
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds, including those encountered at concerts or in noisy workplaces or surroundings, can also contribute to the issue. Other risk factors include genetics, certain medications like aspirin, chemo drugs, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is connected as well.
High-frequency hearing loss in kids may hinder the development of their speech and language skills. Older adults may face the possibility of experiencing dementia, depression, and falls.
Treatments for high-frequency hearing loss
There is no cure for high-frequency hearing loss, but getting hearing aids helps boost high-pitched sounds, making them clearer and crisper. An audiologist can configure your hearing aids to meet your specific needs.
Participating in a business meeting, talking on the phone, having meals, or talking with your grandchild can be improved. Many hearing aids can be connected to your smartphone and have directional microphones that enable accurate sound adjustment. As a perk, you’ll make your wife happy.
Schedule a consultation if you believe you may be experiencing hearing difficulties at high frequencies.