Your workplace has chosen to encourage teamwork and collaboration by opening up the office floor plan. However, you find yourself struggling in this new configuration. Not because you miss the privacy of cubicle walls, but because the increased noise makes it hard to follow conversations.
The inability to follow along with conversations in noisy environments frequently serves as an early indicator of hearing loss, despite conventional hearing tests yielding normal results. You still may have trouble discerning conversations even with “Normal” hearing.
The complexity of speech perception
Considerable brain power is needed to tackle the complex task of speech comprehension. Differentiating speech from background noise and focusing on particular voices amidst a cacophony of sounds requires optimal hearing abilities.
As hearing begins to go, the brain faces challenges in isolating and processing speech signals amidst competing noises. Consequently, settings like bustling offices or crowded restaurants become mentally exhausting.
Identifying hearing loss when it’s in its early stages
Here are a few ways that early hearing loss can manifest:
- Trouble understanding conversations in loud environments.
- Social isolation.
- Increased mental fatigue as a result of heightened concentration required for listening.
Hearing loss examinations
It can be particularly difficult to identify these types of difficulties when traditional hearing diagnostics seem to reveal normal hearing. However, scientists are exploring innovative tests to identify early signs of hearing loss:
- Monitoring Electrical Signals: The electrical signal transmitted from your ears to your brain is monitored by an EEG in this test. If these signals change in a certain way while you’re in a crowded or noisy environment, that could be a strong indication of some problems with your hearing.
- The Eye Test: A special set of glasses is used in this test. These glasses can keep track of the movement and dilation of your pupils. If you’re concentrating a bit harder than usual your pupils will react in a specific way. But it could be an indication that you’re straining to hear if this happens in a noisy setting.
These tests, in conjunction with personal observations, attempt to identify hearing issues at their nascent phases, aiding early intervention.
What are the benefits of early detection?
Detecting even slight hearing loss early provides two considerable advantages.
- It alleviates aggravation by supplying clarity about the challenges of being in settings like open office plans.
- Addressing hearing loss promptly prevents mental decline associated with untreated hearing impairments.
Consider getting help if you’re having difficulty understanding speech even with “normal” hearing.
Overall mental function and auditory health will be improved by early detection. Contact us today and let us help you with any hearing loss you may have.