Why is it harder to hear women’s and children’s voices? As proof, perhaps 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 rather common for people to struggle to hear the voices of women and children. Let’s find out why, and what you can do about it.
Delving into the impacts of hearing loss at high frequencies
Females and young people often have voices that are higher in frequency, and this can influence how clearly they are able to communicate for individuals who have difficulty hearing high frequencies. It’s the most prevalent type of hearing impairment.
Someone might report that they can hear soft sounds, but can’t understand why hearing their children or grandchildren is challenging. The normal frequency range for women is between 165 and 255 Hz, while for men it is between 85 and 180 Hz.
Trouble 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 result in unclear speech.
Additionally, the following sounds would be challenging to hear:
- Birds chirping
- 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. Moreover, damage to the tiny, hair-like sensory cells located in the inner ear can result in increased trouble in perceiving high-frequency sounds.
If you have attended loud concerts and had substantial noise exposure from work or the environment, it can be a factor. Additional factors that contribute to risk include heredity, particular drugs such as aspirin, chemotherapy medications, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is also related.
High-frequency hearing loss in kids could hinder the development of their speech and language skills. For older adults, 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 getting hearing aids helps amplify high-pitched sounds, making them clearer and crisper. A hearing specialist can set your hearing aids at the best setting for you.
Attending a business meeting, talking on the phone, having meals, or chatting with your grandchild can be enhanced. 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.
Set up a consultation if you think you may be experiencing hearing issues at high frequencies.