Why are women and children sometimes more challenging to hear than men? Perhaps you have noticed that some men claim they are unable to hear their wives speaking when they are listing tasks to be done. Of course, we are kidding; however, there are many reasons why it becomes difficult to hear women’s and children’s voices. Let’s figure 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 form of hearing impairment.
A person may notice they can pick up on quiet noises, yet struggle to hear what their kids or grandkids are saying to them. Women have 165 to 255 Hz, while men have 85 to 180 Hz.
Difficulty 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 lead to unclear speech.
Here are a number of other sounds that may be difficult to detect or hear clearly.
- Chirping birds
- Alarms
- Whistling
- High-frequency musical instruments like a flute
What causes high-frequency hearing loss?
This issue is often an element of age-related hearing loss. Moreover, damage to the small, hair-like sensory cells located in the inner ear can result in increased difficulty in perceiving high-frequency sounds.
If you frequented loud concerts and had substantial 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. Cardiovascular disease is also related.
If kids have high-frequency hearing loss, it can hamper their speech and language skill development. Older adults could face the danger of experiencing dementia, depression, and falls.
Dealing with hearing loss in the higher frequencies
There is no cure for high-frequency hearing loss, but getting hearing aids helps amplify high-pitched sounds, making them clearer and crisper. An audiologist can configure your hearing aids to meet your individual needs.
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 allow for accurate sound adjustment. As a bonus , you’ll make your wife happy.
Schedule an appointment if you suspect you have high-frequency hearing loss.