Why are women and children sometimes more challenging to hear than men? As proof, maybe you have noticed that some men say they can’t hear their wives’ voices when they are repeating the “to-do” list. Obviously, we are kidding; however, there are many reasons why it becomes difficult to hear women’s and children’s voices. Let’s find out why, and what you can do about it.
Comprehending high-frequency hearing loss
Women and children have a tendency to have higher-pitched voices, which can affect their speech clarity for anyone with high-frequency hearing loss. It’s the most prevalent type of hearing impairment.
A person might 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.
High-frequency hearing loss can make it harder to hear consonants in speech, including t, th, ch, soft c, s, sh, f, and k, which cause speech to sound jumbled.
Here are a few other sounds that might be difficult to detect or hear clearly.
- Chirping birds
- Alarms
- Whistling
- High-frequency musical instruments like a flute
What are the intrinsic factors that contribute to hearing loss at higher sound frequencies?
This issue can be an element of age-related hearing loss. Moreover, damage to the tiny, hair-like sensory cells found in the inner ear can lead to increased difficulty in perceiving high-frequency sounds.
Prolonged exposure to loud noises, such as those encountered at concerts or in noisy workplaces or surroundings, can also contribute to the problem. Other risk factors include genetic makeups, certain medications like aspirin, chemo drugs, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is also connected.
If children have high-frequency hearing loss, it can hamper their speech and language skill development. Older people could 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. A hearing specialist can set your hearing aids at the best setting for you.
An enhanced experience can be achieved in a business meeting, making phone calls, dining, or engaging in conversations with your grandchild. Most modern hearing devices can stream to your mobile phone and come outfitted with directional microphones for accurate sound personalization. Your wife will be pleased as an added benefit.
Schedule an appointment if you suspect you have high-frequency hearing loss.