Your workplace recently adopted the trend of open-office floor plans, promoting cooperation and teamwork. However, you find yourself having difficulties in this new setup. Not because you miss the privacy of cubicle walls, but because the increased noise makes it difficult to follow conversations.
Even if mainstream hearing tests indicate totally normal hearing, the inability to hear conversations in loud settings is often an early sign of hearing loss. You still may have trouble discerning conversations even with “Normal” hearing.
The complexity of speech perception
Speech comprehension is a complex cognitive task that requires substantial brainpower. Optimal hearing abilities are needed to distinguish voices in noisy environments.
It becomes increasingly challenging for the brain to isolate speech in noisy settings as we get older. As a result, it becomes mentally fatiguing to be in loud settings like restaurants and busy offices.
How to recognize the early signs of hearing loss
Early indications of hearing loss manifest in a variety of ways:
- Trouble understanding conversations in noisy environments.
- Distraction and decreased engagement in social interactions.
- Increased mental fatigue due to heightened concentration needed for listening.
Testing for hearing loss
It can be especially hard to identify these types of challenges when traditional hearing diagnostics seem to reveal normal hearing. However, scientists are exploring innovative tests to diagnose early stages of hearing loss:
- Monitoring Electrical Signals: In this test, a device monitors the electrical EEG signals sent by your ears to your brain. If these signals fluctuate in a specific way while you’re in a crowded or noisy setting, that could be a strong indication of some issues with your hearing.
- The Eye Test: A special set of glasses is utilized in this test. The movement and dilation of your pupils can be monitored with these glasses. If you’re concentrating a bit harder than usual your pupils will react in a specific way. But it may be a sign that you’re straining to hear if this occurs in a noisy setting.
These tests, coupled with personal observations, attempt to detect hearing issues at their emergent phases, facilitating early intervention.
What are the benefits of early detection?
There are two important benefits to early detection.
- It provides clarity with regard to difficulties faced in environments like open offices, alleviating potential frustrations.
- Mental decline related to untreated hearing loss can be prevented with early detection.
Consider getting help if you’re having trouble understanding speech even with “normal” hearing.
Early detection assures timely intervention, enhancing total auditory health and cognitive function. Contact us today and let us help you with any hearing loss you may have.