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. Of course, we are kidding; however, there are lots of reasons why it becomes hard to hear women’s and children’s voices. 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 anyone with high-frequency hearing loss. It’s the most prevalent form of hearing impairment.
Someone might report that they can hear soft sounds, but can’t figure out why hearing their children or grandchildren is difficult. The normal frequency range for women is between 165 and 255 Hz, while for men it is between 85 and 180 Hz.
Difficulty in hearing certain 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.
In addition, the following sounds would be difficult to hear:
- Chirping birds
- Alarms
- Whistling
- High-frequency musical instruments like a flute
What causes high-frequency hearing loss?
This issue can be part of age-related hearing loss. What’s more, damage to the tiny, hair-like sensory cells located in the inner ear can lead to 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 play a part. Additional factors that contribute to risk include heredity, particular drugs such as aspirin, chemotherapy medications, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is also related.
If children have high-frequency hearing loss, it can impede their speech and language skill development. Older people may face the danger of experiencing dementia, depression, and 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.
An improved experience can be achieved in a business meeting, making phone calls, dining, or engaging in conversations with your grandchild. Most modern hearing devices can link to your mobile phone and come outfitted with directional microphones for accurate sound customization. Your wife will be pleased as an added advantage.
Set up a consultation if you think you may be experiencing hearing issues at high frequencies.