Why are women and children sometimes more challenging to hear than men? As proof, maybe you have noticed that some men claim they can’t hear their wives’ voices when they are repeating the “to-do” list. Obviously, we are joking; however, there are lots of reasons why it becomes hard to hear women’s and children’s voices. 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 pitch, and this can influence how clearly they are able to communicate for individuals who have trouble hearing high frequencies. It’s the most prevalent form of hearing impairment.
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 normal frequency range for women is between 165 and 255 Hz, while for men it is between 85 and 180 Hz.
Trouble in hearing specific consonants in speech, such as 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 number of other sounds that may be difficult to detect or hear clearly.
- Chirping birds
- Alarms
- Whistling
- High-pitched musical instruments like a flute
What are the underlying factors that bring about hearing loss at higher sound pitches?
This issue can be part of age-related hearing loss. 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 excessive noise exposure from work or the environment, it can be a factor. Additional factors that contribute to risk include heredity, particular medicines including aspirin, chemotherapy medications, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is also connected.
If children have high-frequency hearing loss, it can impede their speech and language skill development. Older people could face the possibility of experiencing dementia, depression, and falls.
Managing hearing loss in the higher frequencies
While high-frequency hearing loss is irreversible, using hearing aids can considerably improve the clarity of high-pitched sounds by increasing their volume, resulting in a sharper and more distinct auditory experience. A hearing specialist can calibrate 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. Many hearing aids can be connected to your smartphone and have directional microphones that enable precise sound adjustment. Your wife will be pleased as an added benefit.
Book an appointment if you think you have high-frequency hearing loss.