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 talking when they are listing tasks to be done. That’s a joke, but it is fairly common for individuals 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
Females and young people frequently have voices that are higher in pitch, and this can impact how clearly they are able to communicate for individuals who have difficulty hearing high frequencies. It’s the most prevalent type of hearing impairment.
Somebody might report that they can hear soft sounds, but can’t figure out why hearing their children or grandchildren is challenging. The typical frequency range for women is between 165 and 255 Hz, while for men it is between 85 and 180 Hz.
Difficulty in hearing specific consonants in speech, like t, th, ch, soft c, s, sh, f, and k, due to high-frequency hearing loss can lead to unclear speech.
In addition, the following sounds would be challenging to hear:
- 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?
Age-related hearing loss might include this hearing problem. Moreover, damage to the tiny, hair-like sensory cells found in the inner ear can result in increased trouble in perceiving high-frequency sounds.
If you have attended loud concerts and had excessive noise exposure from work or the environment, it can be a factor. Other risk factors include genetic makeups, certain medications like aspirin, chemo drugs, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is also connected.
If kids have high-frequency hearing loss, it can hamper their speech and language skill development. Older adults 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 acquiring hearing aids helps boost high-pitched sounds, making them clearer and crisper. An audiologist can configure your hearing aids to meet your specific requirements.
An improved experience can be attained in a business meeting, making phone calls, dining, or talking with your grandchild. Many hearing aids can be connected to your smartphone and have directional microphones that enable precise sound adjustment. As a bonus , you’ll make your wife happy.
Book an appointment if you suspect you have high-frequency hearing loss.