Your workplace recently adopted the trend of open-office floor plans, promoting cooperation 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 difficult to follow conversations.
The inability to follow conversations in loud settings frequently acts as an early indicator of hearing loss, in spite of conventional hearing tests yielding normal results. You still may have trouble discerning conversations even with “Normal” hearing.
The complexity of speech perception
Speech comprehension is a complex mental task that involves considerable brainpower. Differentiating speech from background noise and focusing on particular voices amidst a cacophony of sounds demands optimal hearing capabilities.
As hearing starts to decline, the brain encounters challenges in isolating and processing speech signals amidst competing sounds. As a result, settings like busy offices or crowded restaurants become mentally fatiguing.
How to identify the early signs of hearing loss
Early signs of hearing loss manifest in a variety of ways:
- Trouble understanding conversations in loud environments.
- Social isolation.
- The brain has to work overtime to comprehend speech causing increased mental tiredness.
Hearing loss examinations
It can be particularly hard to identify these types of difficulties when standard hearing diagnostics seem to show normal hearing. Here are some tests being developed by scientists to diagnose hearing loss in its early stages:
- Monitoring Electrical Signals: In this test, a device tracks the electrical EEG signals transmitted by your ears to your brain. If these signals fluctuate in a certain way while you’re in a crowded or loud setting, 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. The movement and dilation of your pupils can be tracked with these glasses. If you’re concentrating a little harder than usual your pupils will behave in a particular way. So if this tends to happen in crowded or noisy areas, it could be a sign that you’re having to strain to hear.
These tests, in conjunction with personal observations, aim to detect hearing issues at their nascent stages, facilitating early intervention.
The Advantages of early detection
There are two important benefits to early detection.
- Cognitive decline related to neglected hearing loss can be avoided with early detection.
- It provides clarity with regard to challenges faced in settings like open offices, mitigating potential frustrations.
If you’re experiencing trouble following conversations despite “normal” hearing, consider getting a professional assessment.
Early detection assures timely intervention, enhancing total auditory health and cognitive function. Give us a call today and let us help you with any hearing loss you may have.
