Why are women and children sometimes harder to hear than men? As proof, maybe you have noticed that some men claim they can’t hear their wives’ voices when they are repeating the “to-do” list. Obviously, we are kidding; however, there are lots of reasons why it becomes hard to hear women’s and children’s voices. Let’s figure out why, and what you can do about it.
Exploring the effects of hearing loss at high frequencies
Females and young people often have voices that are higher in pitch, and this can influence how clearly they are able to communicate for individuals who have difficulty hearing high frequencies. It is the most prevalent kind of hearing loss.
A person might notice 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, while men have 85 to 180 Hz.
High-frequency hearing loss can make it harder to hear consonants in speech, such as t, th, ch, soft c, s, sh, f, and k, which cause speech to sound muddled.
In addition, the following sounds would be difficult to hear:
- Birds chirping
- Alarms
- Whistling
- High-frequency musical instruments like a flute
What are the intrinsic factors that bring about hearing loss at higher sound pitches?
This issue can be an element of age-related hearing loss. In addition, the tiny hair-like sensory cells in the inner ear may become damaged, and this makes it harder to hear high-pitched sounds.
Prolonged exposure to loud noises, such as those encountered at concerts or in loud workplaces or surroundings, can also add to the issue. Additional factors that increase risk include heredity, particular drugs such as aspirin, chemotherapy medications, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is related as well.
High-frequency hearing loss in children could impede the development of their speech and language skills. For older adults, it can include the risk of dementia, depression, and injury, causing falls.
Dealing with hearing loss in the higher frequencies
While high-frequency hearing loss is irreversible, utilizing hearing aids can dramatically improve the clarity of high-pitched sounds by increasing their volume, producing a sharper and more distinct auditory experience. An audiologist can program your hearing aids to meet your individual needs.
Attending a business meeting, using the phone, having meals, or chatting with your grandchild can be enhanced. Most contemporary hearing devices can stream to your mobile phone and come equipped with directional microphones for accurate sound customization. As a bonus , you’ll make your wife happy.
Schedule an appointment if you think you have high-frequency hearing loss.
