Your workplace recently embraced the trend of open-office floor plans, promoting collaboration and teamwork. But this new arrangement has become difficult for you. It’s because the elevated noise is making it hard to follow along with conversation and not because you miss the privacy of cubical walls.
The inability to follow along with conversations in loud settings frequently serves as an early indicator of hearing loss, in spite of conventional hearing exams producing normal results. This suggests that having “normal” hearing doesn’t guarantee the capacity to comprehend speech effectively.
The complexity of speech perception
Substantial brain power is needed to carry out the complex task of speech comprehension. Distinguishing speech from background noise and focusing on particular voices amongst a cacophony of sounds demands optimal hearing abilities.
It becomes increasingly challenging for the brain to isolate speech in loud settings as we get older. As a result, it becomes mentally exhausting to be in loud environments like restaurants and busy offices.
Identifying hearing loss when it’s in its early stages
Early signs of hearing loss manifest in various ways:
- When in noisy settings, conversations are difficult to understand.
- The brain has to work overtime to comprehend speech leading to increased mental exhaustion.
- Social isolation.
Hearing loss tests
It can be particularly hard to identify these types of challenges when traditional hearing diagnostics seem to reveal normal hearing. However, scientists are looking into innovative tests to diagnose early stages of hearing loss:
- Monitoring Electrical Signals: The electrical signal transmitted from your ears to your brain is tracked by an EEG in this test. It will be a potent sign that you’re having some hearing difficulty if these signals fluctuate in a specific way when you’re in a crowded place.
- The Eye Test: A special set of glasses is used in this test. The movement and dilation of your pupils can be tracked with these glasses. If your pupils react in a specific way, it suggests that you’re concentrating a little harder than normal. So if this tends to happen in crowded or loud areas, it could be an indication that you’re having to strain to hear.
These tests, coupled with personal observations, aim to detect hearing issues at their emergent phases, facilitating early intervention.
What are the advantages of early detection?
There are two significant benefits to early detection.
- Cognitive decline related to untreated hearing loss can be prevented with early detection.
- It reduces frustration by providing clarity about the challenges of being in places like open office plans.
Consider finding help if you’re having difficulty understanding speech even with “normal” hearing.
Early diagnosis ensures timely intervention, enhancing total auditory health and mental function. Schedule a hearing exam today and investigate solutions right for you.