Your workplace recently embraced the trend of open-office floor plans, encouraging collaboration and teamwork. However, you find yourself having difficulties in this new configuration. Not because you miss the privacy of cubicle walls, but because the elevated noise makes it hard to follow conversations.
Even if standard hearing tests indicate totally normal hearing, the inability to hear conversations in noisy settings is frequently an early sign of hearing loss. You still may have trouble discerning conversations even with “Normal” hearing.
The complexity of speech perception
Significant brain power is required to carry out the complex task of speech recognition. Distinguishing speech from background noise and focusing on particular voices amongst a cacophony of sounds requires 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 noisy settings like restaurants and bustling offices.
Identifying hearing loss when it’s in its early stages
Early indications of hearing loss manifest in a variety of ways:
- Problems understanding conversations in noisy environments.
- Increased mental exhaustion due to heightened concentration required for listening.
- Social isolation.
Testing for hearing loss
It can be especially hard to identify these types of difficulties when traditional hearing diagnostics appear to reveal normal hearing. Here are some tests being formulated by researchers to diagnose hearing loss in its early stages:
- Monitoring Electrical Signals: The electrical signal sent from your ears to your brain is monitored by an EEG in this test. It will be a potent sign that you’re having some hearing trouble if these signals fluctuate in a specific way when you’re in a crowded place.
- The Eye Test: For this test, you put on a special pair of glasses. These glasses can keep track of the movement and dilation of your pupils. If your pupils react in a certain way, it suggests 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.
These tests, in conjunction with personal observations, aim to identify hearing issues at their emergent phases, facilitating early intervention.
What are the advantages of early detection?
Discovering even slight hearing loss early has two significant advantages.
- Addressing hearing loss promptly prevents mental decline related to untreated hearing impairments.
- It offers clarity with regard to challenges faced in environments like open offices, mitigating potential aggravations.
If you’re experiencing difficulty following conversations despite “normal” hearing, consider seeking a professional assessment.
Early diagnosis ensures timely intervention, enhancing overall auditory health and cognitive function. Schedule a hearing exam today and look into solutions right for you.
