Why are women and children sometimes more challenging to hear than men? Perhaps you have noticed that some men claim they are unable to hear their wives talking when they are detailing tasks to be done. That’s a joke, but it is rather 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
Women and children have a tendency to have higher-pitched voices, which can affect their speech clarity for anybody with high-frequency hearing loss. It is the most prevalent type of hearing loss.
A person might notice they can pick up on quiet noises, yet struggle to hear what their kids or grandkids are saying to them. The normal 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 difficult 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 challenging to hear:
- Chirping birds
- Alarms
- Whistling
- High-frequency musical instruments like a flute
What causes high-frequency hearing loss?
Age-related hearing loss may include this hearing issue. In addition, the tiny hair-like sensory cells in the inner ear can become damaged, and this makes it more difficult to hear high-pitched sounds.
If you frequented loud concerts and had substantial noise exposure from work or the environment, it can be a factor. Other factors that increase risk include heredity, particular drugs such as aspirin, chemotherapy medications, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is related as well.
High-frequency hearing loss in children could hinder the development of their speech and language skills. Older people 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 amplify high-pitched sounds, making them clearer and crisper. An audiologist can program your hearing aids to meet your specific requirements.
Participating in a business meeting, using the phone, having meals, or talking with your grandchild can be enhanced. Many hearing aids can be connected to your smartphone and have directional microphones that enable precise sound adjustment. As a perk, you’ll make your wife happy.
Schedule a consultation if you think you might be experiencing hearing difficulties at high frequencies.
