Your workplace recently embraced the trend of open-office floor plans, promoting cooperation and teamwork. But this new arrangement has become difficult for you. It’s because the elevated noise is making it difficult to follow along with conversation and not because you miss the privacy of cubical walls.
Even if standard hearing tests indicate perfectly normal hearing, the inability to hear conversations in loud environments is often an early sign of hearing loss. You still may have trouble discerning conversations even with “Normal” hearing.
Speech comprehension is a complex cognitive process that involves substantial brainpower. Optimal hearing abilities are required to distinguish voices in noisy environments.
It becomes increasingly demanding for the brain to focus in on speech in noisy settings as we get older. As a result, settings like busy offices or crowded restaurants become mentally exhausting.
Identifying hearing loss when it’s in its early stages
Here are a number of ways that early hearing loss can manifest:
- Problems understanding conversations in noisy environments.
- Increased mental fatigue due to heightened concentration needed for listening.
- Social isolation.
Hearing loss assessments
Uncovering such challenges can be tricky, particularly when traditional diagnostics suggest normal hearing. However, researchers 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 particular way while you’re in a crowded or loud setting, that could be a firm indication of some problems with your hearing.
- The Eye Test: A special pair of glasses is used in this test. These glasses can monitor the movement and dilation of your pupils. If your pupils behave in a particular way, it implies that you’re concentrating a little harder than usual. But it may be an indication that you’re straining to hear if this happens in a noisy setting.
Early intervention will be possible if these tests, coupled with personal observation, are able to identify hearing problems in their very early stages.
What are the advantages of early detection?
Detecting even slight hearing loss early offers two considerable advantages.
- Dealing with hearing loss promptly prevents cognitive decline related to neglected hearing impairments.
- It provides clarity with regard to difficulties faced in settings like open offices, alleviating potential aggravations.
If you’re experiencing trouble following conversations despite “normal” hearing, consider finding a professional assessment.
Total mental function and auditory health will be improved by early detection. Call us today and let us help you with any hearing loss you may have.
