Women hear best during gossiping, eavesdropping
POSTED May 11, 2009 - 11:18 | POSTED BY Jyoti Pal
Last edited by Harpreet Bhagrath on May 11, 2009 - 15:40
Details of the study
In order to learn more about hearing and hearing loss experienced by people across the nation, Siemens Hearing Instruments, one of the largest manufacturers of hearing instruments in the world, embarked on the survey. 2000 people were enrolled for the purpose.
For women, hearing was found to be at its best during gossiping sessions or when eavesdropping on other people’s conversations. More than two- thirds of women admitted that chitchatting with friends was the only time they listen properly to what is being said.
Moreover, they hear most intently when trying to nose-around on tittle-tattle taking place nearby, poll results reveal.
But men didn’t seem too interested in gossiping. Only half of men admitted hearing intently when gossiping, while just 41 percent confessed trying to eavesdrop on other people’s conversations.
While 21 percent of men believed they always listen carefully to each word said, only 19 percent of women considered doing the same, researchers highlighted.
What’s more, ladies are more likely to turn inattentive when listening to their work colleagues, boss and at times even partner. Women admitted hearing 70 percent of the conversations they have with their partner, and when it comes to catching up with her best pals she’s attentive three-quarters of the time.
Furthermore, while 84 percent of Britons think they are a good listener, only 20 percent claim listening to every word, researchers revealed.
Hearing issues
Hearing loss is no longer an oldies’ ailment. 46 percent of the respondents confessed they sometimes struggle to hear what others are saying. However, only 34 percent women and 45 percent men had undergone hearing tests.
Wendy Davies, audiologist at Siemens Hearing Instruments, cautioned, “Loud clubbing and high volume on your MP3 can damage ears, so it's important to have regular tests.”
And if you do get diagnosed with a damaged ear, don’t panic. “Hearing aids are very different to the beige banana's that granny used to wear. Today you can get funky models the size of a chilli bean," Davies said.
