Why are women and children sometimes harder to hear than men? Maybe you have observed that some men claim they are unable to hear their wives speaking when they are detailing 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 find out why, and what you can do about it.
Understanding high-frequency hearing loss
Females and young people often have voices that are higher in pitch, and this can impact how clearly they are able to communicate for people with trouble hearing high frequencies. It’s the most prevalent form of hearing impairment.
Somebody might say they can hear soft sounds, but can’t understand why hearing their children or grandchildren is challenging. 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, such as 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-frequency musical instruments like a flute
What are the underlying factors that contribute to hearing loss at higher sound frequencies?
This problem is often part of age-related hearing loss. In addition, the tiny hair-like sensory cells in the inner ear may become damaged, and this makes it more difficult to hear high-pitched sounds.
Prolonged exposure to loud sounds, including those experienced at concerts or in noisy workplaces or surroundings, can also add to the problem. Other risk factors include genetic makeups, certain medications like aspirin, chemo drugs, and antibiotics. Heart disease is related as well.
If kids have high-frequency hearing loss, it can hamper their speech and language skill development. Older people may face the danger of experiencing dementia, depression, and falls.
Dealing with hearing loss in the higher frequencies
There is no cure for high-frequency hearing loss, but acquiring hearing aids helps boost high-pitched sounds, making them clearer and crisper. A hearing specialist can set your hearing aids at the right setting for you.
Attending a business meeting, using 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. Your wife will be pleased as an added advantage.
Schedule a consultation if you believe you might be experiencing hearing issues at high frequencies.