Why is it harder to hear women’s and children’s voices? Perhaps you have noticed that some men claim they are unable to hear their wives talking when they are detailing tasks to be done. That’s a joke, but it is fairly common for people 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 often have voices that are higher in frequency, and this can impact how clearly they are able to communicate for people who have difficulty hearing high frequencies. It is the most common kind 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. 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 muddled.
Additionally, the following sounds would be difficult to hear:
- Birds chirping
- Alarms
- Whistling
- High-frequency musical instruments like a flute
What causes high-frequency hearing loss?
Age-related hearing loss might include this hearing problem. What’s more, damage to the tiny, hair-like sensory cells located in the inner ear can lead to increased trouble in perceiving high-frequency sounds.
If you frequented loud concerts and had excessive noise exposure from work or the environment, it can play a part. Other factors that increase risk include heredity, particular drugs such as aspirin, chemotherapy medications, and antibiotics. Heart disease is connected as well.
High-frequency hearing loss in children could hinder the development of their speech and language skills. Older people could face the danger of experiencing dementia, depression, and falls.
Managing hearing loss in the higher frequencies
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 calibrate your hearing aids at the right setting for you.
Attending a business meeting, using the phone, having meals, or talking with your grandchild can be improved. Many hearing aids can be connected to your smartphone and have directional microphones that enable accurate sound adjustment. Your wife will be pleased as an added benefit.
Book an appointment if you think you have high-frequency hearing loss.
