Why are women and children sometimes more challenging to hear than men? As proof, perhaps you have noticed that some men claim they can’t hear their wives’ voices when they are restating the “to-do” list. Of course, we are kidding; however, there are many reasons why it becomes hard to hear women’s and children’s voices. Let’s discover the reasons behind this and explore possible solutions.
Exploring the impacts of hearing loss at high frequencies
Women and children tend to have higher-pitched voices, which can impact their speech clarity for anybody with high-frequency hearing loss. It is the most common type of hearing loss.
A person may observe they can pick up on faint noises, yet struggle to hear what their kids or grandkids are saying to them. 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.
In addition, the following sounds would be challenging to hear:
- Chirping birds
- Alarms
- Whistling
- High-pitched musical instruments like a flute
What causes high-frequency hearing loss?
This problem can be part of age-related hearing loss. Additionally, the tiny hair-like sensory cells in the inner ear may become damaged, and this makes it harder to hear high-pitched sounds.
If you frequented loud concerts and had excessive noise exposure from work or the environment, it can play a part. Additional factors that contribute to risk include heredity, specific medicines such as aspirin, chemotherapy medications, and antibiotics. Heart disease is related as well.
High-frequency hearing loss in kids may 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
While high-frequency hearing loss is permanent, utilizing hearing aids can substantially improve the clarity of high-pitched sounds by boosting their volume, producing a sharper and more distinct auditory experience. An audiologist can program your hearing aids to meet your specific requirements.
Participating in a business meeting, talking on the phone, having meals, or chatting with your grandchild can be improved. Most contemporary hearing devices can link to your mobile phone and come equipped with directional microphones for accurate sound customization. Your wife will be pleased as an added benefit.
Schedule a consultation if you believe you might be experiencing hearing difficulties at high frequencies.