Why are women and children sometimes more challenging to hear than men? Perhaps you have observed that some men claim they are unable to hear their wives talking when they are listing tasks to be done. That’s a joke, but it is fairly common for people to struggle to hear the voices of women and children. Let’s explore the reasons behind this and explore possible solutions.
Understanding high-frequency hearing loss
Women and children tend to have higher-pitched voices, which can affect their speech clarity for anyone with high-frequency hearing loss. It is the most prevalent type of hearing loss.
A person may notice they can pick up on faint noises, yet struggle to make out what their kids or grandkids are saying to them. Women have 165 to 255 Hz, whereas men have 85 to 180 Hz.
Trouble in hearing certain consonants in speech, like t, th, ch, soft c, s, sh, f, and k, as a result of high-frequency hearing loss can result in unclear speech.
Here are a few other sounds that might be hard 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 frequencies?
This issue can be part of age-related hearing loss. What’s more, damage to the small, hair-like sensory cells found in the inner ear can result in increased difficulty in perceiving high-frequency sounds.
If you frequented loud concerts and had substantial noise exposure from work or the environment, it can play a part. Other risk factors include genetic makeups, certain medications like aspirin, chemo drugs, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is also connected.
High-frequency hearing loss in kids could impede the development of their speech and language skills. For older people, it can include the danger of dementia, depression, and injury, causing falls.
Treatments for high-frequency hearing loss
While high-frequency hearing loss is irreversible, utilizing hearing aids can dramatically improve the clarity of high-pitched sounds by boosting their volume, resulting in a sharper and more distinct auditory experience. A hearing specialist can set your hearing aids at the best setting for you.
Attending a business meeting, using the phone, having meals, or talking with your grandchild can be enhanced. Most contemporary hearing devices can stream to your mobile phone and come outfitted with directional microphones for accurate sound personalization. As a bonus , you’ll make your wife happy.
Schedule an appointment if you suspect you have high-frequency hearing loss.