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 speaking when they are listing tasks to be done. That’s a joke, but it is fairly common for individuals to struggle to hear the voices of women and children. Let’s discover the reasons behind this and explore possible solutions.
Understanding high-frequency hearing loss
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 might notice they can pick up on quiet noises, yet struggle to make out what their kids or grandkids are saying to them. The typical 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, due to high-frequency hearing loss can lead to unclear speech.
Here are a few other sounds that might be hard to detect or hear clearly.
- Birds chirping
- Alarms
- Whistling
- High-pitched musical instruments like a flute
What are the underlying factors that bring about hearing loss at higher sound pitches?
Age-related hearing loss might include this hearing problem. Additionally, the tiny hair-like sensory cells in the inner ear can become damaged, and this makes it more difficult to hear high-pitched sounds.
If you have attended loud concerts and had excessive noise exposure from work or the environment, it can play a part. Other risk factors include genetic makeups, certain medications like aspirin, chemo drugs, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is also related.
High-frequency hearing loss in children could impede the development of their speech and language skills. Older adults 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 getting hearing aids helps amplify high-pitched sounds, making them clearer and crisper. An audiologist can configure your hearing aids to meet your specific requirements.
Participating in a business meeting, using 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 advantage.
Schedule a consultation if you believe you may be experiencing hearing difficulties at high frequencies.