A Comparison of Hearing Loss in Men and Women

Hearing loss can be a hassle for those suffering from it because it can affect their normal functioning. Read this post to learn about the differences in the occurrence of hearing loss in males and females.

There are several differences between males and females when it comes to physiology, behaviours, and predisposition to certain illnesses. Studies have suggested that hearing loss can also affect men and women differently. Since untreated hearing loss can impact everyday activities, it is important to get your hearing tested and take remedial measures such as wearing digital hearing aids.

Here are some of the ways hearing loss differs in men and women

Noise-induced Hearing Loss

Audiologists say that there are no differences in the hearing abilities in males and females when they are born. However, as they grow older there is a noticeable increase in the number of men suffering from hearing loss when compared to women. This may be primarily due to the workplace environment and the lifestyle of men which exposes them to more noise.

Factory jobs where heavy machinery making constant loud noise is present, working in construction sites where drilling noises are common, and other jobs involving loud equipment can result in noise-induced hearing loss. Men are more likely to work in such industries than women and that may explain why they are prone to be affected by hearing loss.

Men can also indulge in recreational activities such as shooting, car and bike racing, and hunting where loud noise is common. This exposure to excessive noise for long hours may be the cause for the higher degree of deterioration of hearing abilities in men.

Employers need to ensure the use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) such as earplugs and earmuffs if there is too much noise in the workplace. Employees also need to be educated about the ill-effects of noise exposure and should be urged to wear ear protection whenever necessary.

Hearing Loss due to Medication Use

Hearing loss can also be due to the long-term use of certain medications. Men typically are known to take ototoxic medication that can cause their hearing to worsen over time. Some of the common analgesics that can cause hearing loss are

• Aspirin
• Acetaminophen
• Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS).

Frequency Difference in Men and Women

Men tend to lose their ability to hear high frequencies first while hearing loss in women generally manifests as an inability to hear lower frequencies. This means that men can struggle to hear consonants and high-pitched noises while women can have a hard time understanding vowels.

The difference in the way men and women experience hearing loss may be due to the ways their brains have been structured. There are more neural connections within the two brain hemispheres in men while in the case of women, more neural connections can be seen between the hemispheres.

How Men and Women Deal with Hearing Loss

According to experts, there is a stark difference in the way men and women express their hearing issues. Women are better at communicating with others about their hearing problems and making suggestions about how to help them with the issue.

Men, on the other hand, can be less upfront and may mention their hearing loss only when necessary. They may not elaborate on their hearing problem which might be why hearing loss is more likely to worsen and affect the emotional wellbeing of men.

Women can use gestures, body language, and facial expressions more which can help them with their social interactions. Women also tend to use hearing aids longer than men and thus avoid hearing loss from affecting their social lives. Both men and women can buy hearing aids for sale and use them as instructed by the doctors so that they do not face any trouble while making conversations with others.

How Hearing Loss Affects the Quality of Life

Hearing loss might seem to be only a minor inconvenience. However, if left untreated, it can get worse and cause emotional, social, and behavioral issues.

Since the loss of hearing can affect communication, it can cause relationship troubles. These disagreements and arguments with loved ones can affect emotional welfare and cause mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

Untreated hearing can have negative consequences on the work front too. It can lead to miscommunication and misunderstandings which can affect the performance in the workplace.

Using hearing aids can help in mitigating the problems faced due to hearing loss. Hearing aids using the latest technologies helps in amplifying the human voice and is also comfortable to wear. By wearing digital hearing aids and other aids using cutting edge technologies, men and women can prevent their hearing loss from disturbing their personal and professional lives.