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 discover the reasons behind this and discuss possible solutions.
Understanding high-frequency hearing loss
Women and children have a tendency to have higher-pitched voices, which can affect their speech clarity for anybody with high-frequency hearing loss. It’s the most prevalent type 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, whereas men have 85 to 180 Hz.
High-frequency hearing loss can make it difficult to hear consonants in speech, such as 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 issue. 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 frequented loud concerts and had substantial noise exposure from work or the environment, it can play a part. Additional factors that increase risk include heredity, specific drugs including aspirin, chemotherapy medications, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is also related.
High-frequency hearing loss in children could impede the development of their speech and language skills. For older people, it can include the danger of dementia, depression, and injury, causing falls.
Treatments for high-frequency hearing loss
There is no cure for high-frequency hearing loss, but acquiring hearing aids helps boost 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, talking on the phone, having meals, or talking with your grandchild can be improved. Most modern hearing devices can link to your mobile phone and come equipped with directional microphones for accurate sound personalization. Your wife will be pleased as an added benefit.
Schedule an appointment if you suspect you have high-frequency hearing loss.
