Struggling to Hear Women and Children Speak? Here’s Why

Grandfather and small grandson using smart phone apps at home.

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 talking 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 discuss possible solutions.

Comprehending high-frequency hearing loss

Women and children have a tendency to have higher-pitched voices, which can affect their speech clarity for anyone with high-frequency hearing loss. It’s the most prevalent form of hearing impairment.
A person may observe 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 harder to hear consonants in speech, including t, th, ch, soft c, s, sh, f, and k, which cause speech to sound jumbled.

Additionally, 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. 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 factors that increase risk include heredity, particular medicines such as aspirin, chemotherapy medications, and antibiotics. Cardiovascular disease is connected as well.

If children have high-frequency hearing loss, it can impede their speech and language skill development. For older people, it can include the risk of dementia, depression, and injury, causing falls.

Managing hearing loss in the higher frequencies

There is no cure for high-frequency hearing loss, but getting hearing aids helps boost high-pitched sounds, making them clearer and crisper. An audiologist can configure your hearing aids to meet your individual requirements.

An improved experience can be attained in a business meeting, making phone calls, dining, or engaging in conversations with your grandchild. Most contemporary hearing devices can link to your mobile phone and come outfitted with directional microphones for accurate sound customization. As a perk, you’ll make your wife happy.

Book an appointment if you think you have high-frequency hearing loss.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.