Why is it more difficult to hear women’s and children’s voices? Perhaps you have observed 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 find out why, and what you can do about it.

Delving into the impacts of hearing loss at high frequencies

Females and young individuals often have voices that are higher in frequency, and this can impact how clearly they are able to communicate for people with trouble hearing high frequencies. It’s the most prevalent type of hearing impairment.
Somebody may report that they can hear soft sounds, but can’t understand why hearing their children or grandchildren is difficult. 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 jumbled.

Additionally, the following sounds would be challenging to hear:

• Chirping birds
• Alarms
• Whistling
• High-pitched musical instruments like a flute

What causes high-frequency hearing loss?

Age-related hearing loss might include this hearing issue. In addition, the tiny hair-like sensory cells in the inner ear can become damaged, and this makes it harder to hear high-pitched sounds.

If you frequented loud concerts and had substantial noise exposure from work or the environment, it can be a factor. Other factors that increase risk include heredity, particular drugs such as aspirin, chemotherapy medications, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is also related.

High-frequency hearing loss in children may hinder the development of their speech and language skills. For older people, it can include the danger of dementia, depression, and injury, causing falls.

Managing hearing loss in the higher frequencies

There is no cure for high-frequency hearing loss, but acquiring hearing aids helps amplify high-pitched sounds, making them clearer and crisper. A hearing specialist can calibrate 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 improved. 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 advantage.

Set up a consultation if you believe you might be experiencing hearing difficulties at high frequencies.