Your workplace recently adopted the trend of open-office floor plans, promoting cooperation and teamwork. But this new setup has become a struggle for you. Not because you miss the privacy of cubicle walls, but because the elevated noise makes it hard to follow conversations.
Even if established hearing tests indicate completely normal hearing, the inability to hear conversations in loud settings is often an early sign of hearing loss. You still may have trouble discerning conversations even with “Normal” hearing.
The complexity of speech perception
Speech comprehension is a complex cognitive process that requires considerable brainpower. 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 focus in on speech in loud settings as we get older. As a result, it becomes mentally exhausting to be in loud environments like restaurants and bustling offices.
How to recognize the early signs of hearing loss
Here are a number of ways that early hearing loss can manifest:
- Distraction and reduced engagement in social interactions.
- Increased mental fatigue due to heightened concentration required for listening.
- Trouble understanding conversations in loud environments.
Testing for hearing loss
Uncovering such difficulties can be tricky, especially when conventional diagnostics suggest normal hearing. However, scientists are looking into innovative tests to diagnose early signs of hearing loss:
- The Eye Test: For this test, you wear a special set of glasses. The movement and dilation of your pupils can be tracked with these glasses. If you’re concentrating a bit harder than usual your pupils will behave in a specific way. So if this tends to occur in crowded or loud areas, it could be a sign that you’re having to strain to hear.
- Monitoring Electrical Signals: In this test, a device monitors the electrical EEG signals transmitted by your ears to your brain. It will be a strong sign that you’re having some hearing trouble if these signals change in a specific way when you’re in a crowded place.
These tests, in conjunction with personal observations, aim to identify hearing issues at their nascent stages, aiding early intervention.
The Advantages of early detection
There are two significant benefits to early detection.
- Mental decline associated with neglected hearing loss can be prevented with early detection.
- It alleviates aggravation by supplying clarity about the difficulties of being in places like open office plans.
If you’re experiencing difficulty following conversations despite “normal” hearing, think about seeking a professional assessment.
Overall mental function and auditory health will be improved by early detection. Schedule a hearing test today and look into options right for you.