Why is it harder to hear women’s and children’s voices? As proof, maybe you have noticed that some men claim they can’t hear their wives’ voices when they are restating 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
Women and children tend to have higher-pitched voices, which can affect their speech clarity for anybody with high-frequency hearing loss. It’s the most prevalent form of hearing impairment.
Someone may report that they can hear soft sounds, but can’t figure out why hearing their children or grandchildren is difficult. 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, including t, th, ch, soft c, s, sh, f, and k, which cause speech to sound jumbled.
Here are a number of other sounds that may 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 frequencies?
This issue is often an element of age-related hearing loss. What’s more, damage to the small, hair-like sensory cells located in the inner ear can result in 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 risk factors include genetics, certain medications like aspirin, chemo drugs, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is connected as well.
High-frequency hearing loss in kids may hinder the development of their speech and language skills. Older people may face the danger of experiencing dementia, depression, and falls.
Treatments for high-frequency hearing loss
While high-frequency hearing loss is permanent, using hearing aids can significantly improve the clarity of high-pitched sounds by increasing their volume, producing a sharper and more distinct auditory experience. A hearing specialist can set your hearing aids at the right setting for you.
Participating in 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 precise sound adjustment. As a bonus , you’ll make your wife happy.
Set up a consultation if you think you may be experiencing hearing issues at high frequencies.
