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. That’s a joke, but it is fairly common for individuals to struggle to hear the voices of women and children. Let’s find out why, and what you can do about it.
Comprehending high-frequency hearing loss
Females and young individuals frequently have voices that are higher in frequency, and this can impact how clearly they are able to communicate for individuals who have difficulty hearing high frequencies. It’s the most prevalent form of hearing impairment.
Someone 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.
High-frequency hearing loss can make it difficult to hear consonants in speech, including t, th, ch, soft c, s, sh, f, and k, which cause speech to sound muddled.
Here are a few other sounds that might be difficult to detect or hear clearly.
- Birds chirping
- Alarms
- Whistling
- High-pitched musical instruments like a flute
What causes high-frequency hearing loss?
This problem is often 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. Other factors that increase risk include heredity, specific drugs including aspirin, chemotherapy medications, and antibiotics. Heart disease is related as well.
High-frequency hearing loss in children could impede the development of their speech and language skills. For older people, it can include the risk of dementia, depression, and injury, causing falls.
Treatments for high-frequency hearing loss
There is no cure for high-frequency hearing loss, but acquiring hearing aids helps amplify high-pitched sounds, making them clearer and crisper. A hearing specialist can set your hearing aids at the right 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 link to your mobile phone and come equipped with directional microphones for accurate sound customization. As a bonus , you’ll make your wife happy.
Set up a consultation if you believe you may be experiencing hearing issues at high frequencies.