A new international study finds biological sex has a greater impact on hearing sensitivity than age
It’s long been joked that women hear more than men, especially when it comes to whose turn it is to load the dishwasher. But new research suggests there may be science behind the stereotype.
An international study, spanning 13 countries and more than 450 participants, has found that women on average have more sensitive hearing than men by about two decibels. The research team included contributors from the UK, Ecuador, Gabon, Uzbekistan and South Africa, and focused on measuring the sensitivity of the cochlea, the inner ear structure that converts sound into signals for the brain.
While age-related hearing loss is well documented, this study suggests that biological sex plays an even bigger role in hearing variation. “We were surprised to find that women had two decibels more sensitive hearing across all the populations we measured, and this accounted for most of the variation between individuals,” said Professor Turi King from the University of Bath, a co-author of the study.
She speculated that differences in hormone exposure in the womb or subtle anatomical variations in the cochlea may explain the findings. Interestingly, the research also reinforced the known phenomenon that most people have better hearing in their right ear than in their left.
More than just gender differences
The study also uncovered environmental influences on hearing sensitivity. People living in densely forested environments, such as parts of Gabon and Ecuador, showed some of the highest sensitivity overall. Researchers suggest that this may be an evolutionary adaptation to ecosystems rich in subtle, non-human sounds requiring heightened auditory awareness.
Conversely, participants living at high altitudes, where atmospheric pressure and oxygen levels are lower, showed reduced hearing sensitivity. Urban environments had their own effect too, with people in cities showing increased sensitivity to high-frequency sounds, likely a response to the persistent hum of low-frequency noise from traffic and infrastructure.
What this means for hearing care
Although a two-decibel difference might sound minor, audiologists say it’s enough to affect speech perception in noisy environments and may help explain why women report higher levels of sensory sensitivity in crowded or overstimulating settings.
“Hearing thresholds vary for all sorts of reasons, and biological sex could well, it seems - at least, according to this research - be one of them,” said Micaela Stonestreet, a Hearology® Clinical Audiologist “But what’s more important than whether your hearing is more or less sensitive is whether you’re monitoring changes over time. A baseline hearing test can help identify early signs of hearing loss or blocked ears, and give people the information they need before problems start affecting quality of life.”
It is also important to take account of broader factors such as noise exposure and environmental stress. “We see people from all backgrounds and environments – from high-rise offices to rural farms, and every one of them brings a different hearing profile. That’s why personalised care, supported by regular testing and proper aftercare, is so important,” said Stonestreet.
The bigger picture
While this study was designed to explore natural hearing variation, researchers believe the findings may have practical implications.
“Identifying drivers behind natural hearing variation will improve our understanding of hearing loss and individual differences in noise tolerance,” said Dr Patricia Balaresque, who led the research at the Centre for Biodiversity and Environmental Research in Toulouse, France.
The full study is published in Scientific Reports and adds a new layer to the understanding of auditory health – one that spans biology, environment and real-life experience.
For many people, these findings are less about who hears better and more about recognising just how complex – and personal – hearing really is.
References
Do men and women really hear differently? - Discusses differences in how men and women process sounds, noting that women generally have better hearing for frequencies above 2,000 Hz, while men are more susceptible to hearing loss, potentially impacting familial communication dynamics.
The Link Between Gender & Hearing Loss - Highlights the correlation between gender and hearing loss, with men being more likely to experience hearing loss due to environmental factors and certain health conditions, which may influence sensory perception.
Hyperacusis: Focus on Gender Differences: A Systematic Review - Explores gender differences in hyperacusis, finding similar prevalence rates in both genders, although men may have better sound localisation skills, which impacts hearing sensitivity and auditory processing.
