Your workplace has opted to encourage teamwork and cooperation by opening up the office floor plan. However, you find yourself struggling in this new setup. It’s because the increased noise is making it hard to follow along with conversation and not because you miss the privacy of cubical walls.
Even if mainstream hearing tests indicate perfectly normal hearing, the inability to hear conversations in noisy settings is often an early sign of hearing loss. This indicates that having “normal” hearing doesn’t guarantee the ability to comprehend speech effectively.
The complexity of speech perception
Significant brain power is required to tackle the complex task of speech comprehension. Optimal hearing abilities are needed to differentiate voices in loud environments.
As hearing begins to decline, the brain encounters difficulties in separating and processing speech signals amongst competing sounds. As a result, settings like busy offices or crowded restaurants become mentally exhausting.
Identifying hearing loss when it’s in its early stages
Early indications of hearing loss manifest in various ways:
- The brain has to work overtime to comprehend speech leading to increased mental exhaustion.
- Distraction and reduced engagement in social interactions.
- Difficulty understanding conversations in noisy environments.
Hearing loss tests
It can be particularly hard to identify these types of challenges when standard hearing diagnostics appear to show normal hearing. Here are some tests being formulated by researchers to identify hearing loss in its early stages:
- Monitoring Electrical Signals: In this test, a device tracks the electrical EEG signals sent by your ears to your brain. It will be a strong sign that you’re having some hearing trouble if these signals fluctuate in a specific way when you’re in a crowded location.
- The Eye Test: A special pair 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 normal your pupils will behave in a specific way. But it could be an indication that you’re straining to hear if this happens in a loud setting.
Early intervention will be possible if these tests, coupled with personal observation, are able to detect hearing issues in their very early stages.
The Advantages of early detection
There are two significant advantages to early detection.
- It reduces aggravation by supplying clarity about the difficulties of being in settings like open office plans.
- Addressing hearing loss promptly prevents cognitive decline associated with untreated hearing impairments.
If you’re experiencing trouble following conversations in spite of “normal” hearing, think about seeking a professional evaluation.
Overall cognitive function and auditory health will be improved by early diagnosis. Schedule a hearing exam today and explore solutions right for you.