Your workplace has chosen to encourage teamwork and cooperation by opening up the office floor plan. However, you find yourself struggling in this new configuration. It’s because the increased noise is making it challenging to follow along with conversation and not because you miss the privacy of cubical walls.
Even if mainstream hearing tests indicate totally fine hearing, the inability to hear conversations in loud environments is often an early sign of hearing loss. This indicates that having “normal” hearing doesn’t guarantee the capacity to comprehend speech effectively.
Speech comprehension is a complex mental task that requires significant brainpower. Differentiating speech from background noise and focusing on specific voices amongst a cacophony of sounds demands optimal hearing capabilities.
It becomes increasingly demanding for the brain to isolate speech in noisy settings as we get older. Because of this, it becomes mentally exhausting 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 various ways:
- The brain has to work extra hard to comprehend speech causing increased mental tiredness.
- Distraction and decreased engagement in social interactions.
- Trouble understanding conversations in noisy environments.
Hearing loss assessments
It can be especially difficult to identify these types of challenges when traditional hearing diagnostics appear to show normal hearing. However, researchers are looking into innovative tests to diagnose early signs of hearing loss:
- Monitoring Electrical Signals: The electrical signal sent from your ears to your brain is tracked by an EEG in this test. It will be a strong sign that you’re having some hearing trouble if these signals change in a particular way when you’re in a crowded location.
- The Eye Test: A special set of glasses is used in this test. These glasses can track the movement and dilation of your pupils. If you’re concentrating a bit harder than normal your pupils will react in a particular way. So if this tends to occur in crowded or loud areas, it could be an indication that you’re having to strain to hear.
These tests, in conjunction with personal observations, attempt to detect hearing problems at their nascent phases, facilitating early intervention.
The Advantages of early detection
There are two important benefits to early detection.
- It provides clarity regarding difficulties faced in environments like open offices, mitigating potential aggravations.
- Dealing with hearing loss promptly prevents cognitive decline related to neglected hearing impairments.
If you’re experiencing trouble following conversations in spite of “normal” hearing, consider finding a professional assessment.
Early detection ensures timely intervention, enhancing overall auditory health and cognitive function. Schedule a hearing test today and investigate options right for you.