Why are women and children sometimes more challenging 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 frequently have voices that are higher in frequency, and this can influence how clearly they are able to communicate for individuals who have difficulty hearing high frequencies. It is the most common type of hearing loss.
A person may observe they can pick up on faint noises, yet struggle to hear what their kids or grandkids are saying to them. 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.
Additionally, the following sounds would be difficult to hear:
- Birds chirping
- Alarms
- Whistling
- High-pitched musical instruments like a flute
What are the intrinsic factors that bring about hearing loss at higher sound pitches?
This problem is often part of age-related hearing loss. Moreover, damage to the tiny, hair-like sensory cells found in the inner ear can result in increased trouble in perceiving high-frequency sounds.
Extended exposure to loud sounds, such as those encountered at concerts or in loud workplaces or surroundings, can also contribute to the problem. Additional factors that increase risk include heredity, particular drugs including aspirin, chemotherapy medications, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is also related.
If children have high-frequency hearing loss, it can hamper their speech and language skill development. For older adults, it can include the risk of dementia, depression, and injury, causing falls.
Treatments for high-frequency hearing loss
There is no cure for high-frequency hearing loss, but acquiring hearing aids helps boost high-pitched sounds, making them clearer and crisper. An audiologist can program your hearing aids to meet your individual requirements.
Participating in a business meeting, using the phone, having meals, or chatting with your grandchild can be enhanced. Many hearing aids can be connected to your smartphone and have directional microphones that allow for precise sound adjustment. Your wife will be pleased as an added benefit.
Schedule an appointment if you think you have high-frequency hearing loss.
