Your workplace recently embraced the trend of open-office floor plans, encouraging collaboration and teamwork. But this new arrangement has become a struggle for you. Not because you miss the privacy of cubicle walls, but because the elevated noise makes it difficult to follow conversations.
The inability to follow conversations in noisy settings often acts as an early indicator of hearing loss, despite conventional hearing tests yielding normal outcomes. You still may have trouble discerning conversations even with “Normal” hearing.
The complexity of speech perception
Considerable brain power is needed to carry out the complex task of speech comprehension. Optimal hearing capabilities are needed to differentiate voices in loud environments.
It becomes increasingly demanding 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 settings like restaurants and bustling offices.
Recognizing hearing loss when it’s in its early stages
Here are a few ways that early hearing loss can manifest:
- Distraction and reduced engagement in social interactions.
- The brain needs to work overtime to comprehend speech leading to increased mental fatigue.
- When in noisy settings, conversations are difficult to make out.
Testing for hearing loss
It can be particularly difficult to identify these kinds of challenges when standard hearing diagnostics appear to reveal normal hearing. However, researchers are exploring innovative tests to identify early signs 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 strong sign that you’re having some hearing trouble if these signals change in a certain way when you’re in a crowded location.
- The Eye Test: A special pair 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 certain way, it implies that you’re concentrating a little harder than normal. So if this tends to occur in crowded or noisy areas, it could be an indication that you’re having to strain to hear.
Early intervention will be possible if these tests, combined with personal observation, are able to detect hearing issues in their very early stages.
What are the advantages of early detection?
Detecting even minor hearing loss early offers two significant advantages.
- Cognitive decline associated with untreated hearing loss can be avoided with early detection.
- It offers clarity regarding difficulties faced in settings like open offices, mitigating potential aggravations.
Consider finding help if you’re having trouble understanding speech even with “normal” hearing.
Early diagnosis assures timely intervention, enhancing total auditory health and mental function. Schedule a hearing test today and investigate options right for you.
