This article discusses the recent findings of a study conducted by researchers from the Center for Biodiversity and Environmental Research (CRBE) in Toulouse, France, regarding the differences in hearing sensitivity between men and women. The study, published in Scientific Reports, reveals that sex plays a more significant role in determining hearing sensitivity than age, with women showcasing an average increase of two decibels in hearing sensitivity compared to men.

Introduction

Hearing impairments have been increasingly prevalent across global populations. Although it is widely recognized that hearing sensitivity generally declines with age, little attention has been given to other biological and environmental factors that may influence auditory capabilities. Factors such as sex, ear side, language, ethnicity, and local environment are crucial in understanding variations in hearing across human groups.

Research Overview

Led by Dr. Patricia Balaresque, the research team comprised of faculty including Professor Turi King from the University of Bath, conducted hearing tests on 450 individuals across 13 diverse global populations, including Ecuador, England, Gabon, South Africa, and Uzbekistan. The choice of populations aimed to include varied ecological and cultural contexts, focusing on both urban and rural groups.

Methodology

The researchers examined the sensitivity of the cochlea in the ear, specifically analyzing the transmission of brain signals in response to sound amplitudes and frequencies through the measurement of Transient-Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAE).

Following their investigations, the researchers found consistent results across the populations studied:

  • Women displayed greater hearing sensitivity than men across all demographics.
  • Participants generally exhibited better hearing in their right ears compared to their left.
  • The local environment significantly affected hearing responses, showing variations in amplitude and frequency sensitivity.

Results

The findings highlighted notable differences in hearing sensitivity based on sex and environmental factors:

Factor Impact on Hearing Sensitivity
Sex Women have, on average, 2 decibels more sensitivity than men.
Environment Individuals in forested areas exhibited the highest sensitivity.
Altitude People living at higher altitudes showed decreased sensitivity.
Urban vs. Rural Urban populations tended to filter out low-frequency noise.

Conclusions

The implications of these findings are significant. Women, while displaying better auditory sensitivity, may face challenges in noisy environments, as heightened sensitivity can be detrimental to overall health, affecting sleep quality and increasing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Dr. Patricia Balaresque, the study's lead author, emphasized the importance of considering both biological and environmental factors in auditory studies, stating, "Identifying drivers behind natural hearing variation will improve our understanding of hearing loss and individual differences in noise tolerance."

Future Research Directions

Moving forward, the research team aims to explore the genetic adaptations that may influence hearing sensitivity across environments, as well as the ongoing evolution of human auditory capabilities. Understanding these factors could profoundly impact strategies for preventing hearing loss and optimizing health outcomes among diverse populations.

Journal Information

This study was published by Patricia Balaresque et al. in Scientific Reports (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-92763-6.

“Our findings challenge existing assumptions and highlight the need to consider both biological and environmental factors when studying hearing.” – Dr. Patricia Balaresque

References

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