Your workplace has opted to encourage teamwork and cooperation by opening up the office floor plan. But this new setup has become a struggle for you. Not because you miss the privacy of cubicle walls, but because the increased noise makes it hard to follow conversations.
Even if mainstream hearing tests indicate perfectly fine hearing, the inability to hear conversations in noisy environments is often an early sign of hearing loss. This suggests that having “normal” hearing doesn’t guarantee the ability to comprehend speech effectively.
The complexity of speech perception
Significant brain power is needed to tackle the complex task of speech comprehension. Optimal hearing abilities are necessary to differentiate voices in noisy environments.
As hearing starts to go, the brain encounters challenges in isolating and processing speech signals amidst competing noises. As a result, settings like bustling offices or crowded restaurants become mentally exhausting.
How to identify the early signs of hearing loss
Here are a few ways that early hearing loss can manifest:
- Social isolation.
- The brain needs to work overtime to comprehend speech leading to increased mental tiredness.
- When in loud settings, conversations are hard to understand.
Testing for hearing loss
Uncovering such challenges can be tricky, especially when traditional diagnostics indicate normal hearing. However, researchers are exploring innovative tests to diagnose early stages of hearing loss:
- Monitoring Electrical Signals: In this test, a device tracks 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 certain way when you’re in a crowded location.
- The Eye Test: A special set of glasses is utilized in this test. These glasses can monitor the movement and dilation of your pupils. If you’re concentrating a little harder than normal your pupils will behave in a specific way. So if this tends to happen in crowded or noisy areas, it could be an indication that you’re having to strain to hear.
These tests, coupled with personal observations, attempt to detect hearing problems at their nascent phases, facilitating early intervention.
The benefits of early detection
Detecting even slight hearing loss early provides two significant advantages.
- Dealing with hearing loss quickly prevents cognitive decline related to neglected hearing impairments.
- It provides clarity regarding challenges faced in settings like open offices, mitigating potential frustrations.
Think about finding help if you’re having trouble understanding speech even with “normal” hearing.
Overall cognitive function and auditory health will be improved by early diagnosis. Schedule a hearing exam today and investigate solutions right for you.
