Why are women and children sometimes more challenging 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 rather common for people 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
Women and children tend to have higher-pitched voices, which can impact their speech clarity for anyone with high-frequency hearing loss. It is the most prevalent kind of hearing loss.
Somebody might say they can hear soft sounds, but can’t figure out why hearing their children or grandchildren is difficult. Women have 165 to 255 Hz, whereas men have 85 to 180 Hz.
Difficulty in hearing specific consonants in speech, like t, th, ch, soft c, s, sh, f, and k, as a result of high-frequency hearing loss can lead to unclear speech.
Here are a number of other sounds that might be hard to detect or hear clearly.
- Birds chirping
- Alarms
- Whistling
- High-pitched musical instruments like a flute
What causes high-frequency hearing loss?
This issue 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 more difficult to hear high-pitched sounds.
Extended exposure to loud sounds, including those experienced at concerts or in loud workplaces or surroundings, can also add to the issue. Other risk factors include genetic makeups, certain medications like aspirin, chemo drugs, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is related as well.
High-frequency hearing loss in children may hinder the development of their speech and language skills. Older people could face the possibility of experiencing dementia, depression, and falls.
Managing hearing loss in the higher frequencies
There is no cure for high-frequency hearing loss, but getting hearing aids helps amplify high-pitched sounds, making them clearer and crisper. A hearing specialist can calibrate your hearing aids at the best setting for you.
An enhanced experience can be achieved in a business meeting, making phone calls, dining, or talking with your grandchild. Most contemporary hearing devices can link to your mobile phone and come equipped with directional microphones for accurate sound customization. As a perk, you’ll make your wife happy.
Book an appointment if you think you have high-frequency hearing loss.