A recent article published in Scientific Reports highlights groundbreaking research conducted by a team led by Dr. Patricia Balaresque from the Center for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (CRBE) in Toulouse, France. The study reveals that sex is the primary determinant of hearing sensitivity, with the findings indicating that women possess significantly better hearing capabilities than men.

Overview of the Study

Hearing problems are becoming increasingly prevalent globally. While it is well established that hearing sensitivity declines with age, limited research has addressed other biological and environmental factors affecting hearing sensitivity. These variables include sex, ear side, language, ethnicity, and local environment, all of which the research team sought to explore.

The study involved hearing tests on 450 individuals across 13 diverse populations, including Ecuador, England, Gabon, South Africa, and Uzbekistan. This selection aimed to encompass a wide array of ecological and cultural contexts, particularly focusing on underrepresented rural and non-European groups.

Methodology

The researchers assessed the sensitivity of the cochlea—an essential part of the ear—as it transmits brain signals in response to various sound amplitudes and frequencies. This was accomplished through measuring Transient-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAE). Their approach involved:

  • Calculating median Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) values greater than 3 to filter the frequency range for analyses.
  • Employing TEOAE derived metrics to provide a comprehensive understanding of hearing sensitivity.

Key Findings

The findings demonstrated that hearing amplitude is predominantly influenced by sex rather than age. Women exhibited an average of two decibels more sensitive hearing compared to men across all studied populations. The environmental context also emerged as a significant factor affecting hearing:

Environment Average Hearing Sensitivity
Forest Dwellers Highest Sensitivity
Urban Dwellers Moderate Sensitivity
High Altitude Regions Lowest Sensitivity

Sex as a Dominant Factor

Dr. Balaresque remarked on the unexpected dominance of sex as a determinant in hearing sensitivity. The research highlighted that this could be attributed to hormonal differences during prenatal development, further influenced by slight structural differences in cochlear anatomy between men and women.

Additionally, the results indicated that women tend to excel in various auditory tasks, including sound discrimination and speech perception. This suggests an enhanced ability of their brains to process auditory information, which can be critical given the implications of environments rich in noise pollution.

Environmental Influences

Different environmental settings were found to significantly influence auditory sensitivity:

  • Forest Environments: Individuals living amidst diverse sounds from nature may develop heightened auditory sensitivity, an adaptive trait for survival.
  • Urban Settings: Those residing in cities experienced shifts towards higher frequency sensitivity, possibly as a means of filtering out pervasive low-frequency noise.
  • High Altitude: Reduced sensitivity in high-altitude populations may result from lower atmospheric pressure, sound wave alterations, or physiological adaptations due to decreased oxygen levels.
Population Hearing Sensitivity Factors
Forest Dwellers Higher sensitivity, possible adaptation to varied soundscapes.
Urban Populations Frequency shift toward high frequencies, noise adaptation.
High Altitude Residents Potential reduction in sensitivity due to environmental factors.
“Our findings challenge existing assumptions and highlight the need to consider both biological and environmental factors when studying hearing,” stated Dr. Balaresque.

Future Research Directions

The implications of this study extend beyond merely understanding hearing sensitivity. The researchers emphasize the importance of continuing to investigate the biological and environmental factors influencing hearing capabilities in a changing world. Dr. Turi King from the University of Bath noted:

  • Investigation into genetic adaptations: Understanding if hearing can evolve in response to various environmental pressures.
  • Broader implications for public health: Assessing how sensitivity variances could inform strategies to mitigate hearing loss.

Conclusion

The research underscores that both sex and environmental context are significant in shaping hearing sensitivity among global populations. As the prevalence of hearing impairment grows, these findings may offer pivotal insights for public health initiatives aimed at preventing hearing loss and enhancing quality of life.

References

Balaresque, P., et al. (2025). Sex and environment shape cochlear sensitivity in human populations worldwide. Scientific Reports. DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-92763-6

Citation: Women can hear better than men: Researchers find amplitude more influenced by sex than age (2025, March 28) retrieved from Medical Xpress.