Your workplace has decided to encourage teamwork and collaboration by opening up the office floor plan. However, you find yourself struggling in this new configuration. Not because you miss the privacy of cubicle walls, but because the elevated noise makes it difficult to follow conversations.
Even if standard hearing tests indicate perfectly fine 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.
Substantial brain power is required to tackle the complex task of speech comprehension. Distinguishing speech from background noise and focusing on particular voices amidst 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. Consequently, settings like busy offices or crowded restaurants become mentally fatiguing.
How to identify the early signs of hearing loss
Here are a few ways that early hearing loss can manifest:
- Social isolation.
- Increased mental exhaustion as a result of heightened concentration needed for listening.
- Trouble understanding conversations in loud environments.
Testing for hearing loss
It can be particularly hard to detect these kinds of challenges when traditional hearing diagnostics appear to reveal normal hearing. However, scientists are looking at innovative tests to diagnose early stages of hearing loss:
- Monitoring Electrical Signals: The electrical signal sent from your ears to your brain is tracked by an EEG in this test. If these signals change in a particular way while you’re in a crowded or loud environment, that could be a firm indication of some issues 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 specific way, it implies that you’re concentrating a little harder than normal. But it could be an indication that you’re straining to hear if this happens in a noisy setting.
These tests, in conjunction with personal observations, aim to identify hearing issues at their nascent phases, aiding early intervention.
The benefits of early detection
Discovering even minor hearing loss early offers two considerable advantages.
- Cognitive decline related to untreated hearing loss can be avoided with early detection.
- It reduces frustration by providing clarity about the challenges of being in places like open office plans.
If you’re experiencing trouble following conversations in spite of “normal” hearing, consider getting a professional evaluation.
Total cognitive 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.