Your workplace has opted to encourage teamwork and cooperation by opening up the office floor plan. However, you find yourself having difficulties in this new configuration. Not because you miss the privacy of cubicle walls, but because the increased noise makes it difficult to follow conversations.
The inability to follow along with conversations in noisy environments often serves as an early indicator of hearing loss, in spite of conventional hearing exams 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 process that demands substantial brainpower. Distinguishing speech from background noise and focusing on specific voices amongst a cacophony of sounds requires optimal hearing capabilities.
It becomes increasingly demanding for the brain to focus in on speech in noisy settings as we get older. Consequently, settings like bustling offices or crowded restaurants become mentally fatiguing.
Recognizing hearing loss when it’s in its early stages
Early signs of hearing loss manifest in a variety of ways:
- Distraction and decreased engagement in social interactions.
- The brain has to work overtime to comprehend speech leading to increased mental fatigue.
- When in loud settings, conversations are difficult to make out.
Hearing loss assessments
Uncovering such difficulties can be tricky, particularly when conventional diagnostics suggest normal hearing. However, scientists are exploring innovative tests to diagnose early signs of hearing loss:
- 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 specific way while you’re in a crowded or loud environment, that could be a strong indication of some issues with your hearing.
- The Eye Test: For this diagnostics, you put on a special pair of glasses. These glasses can keep track of the movement and dilation of your pupils. If you’re concentrating a bit harder than usual your pupils will behave in a specific way. So if this tends to occur in crowded or loud areas, it could be a sign 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.
The Advantages of early detection
Discovering even minor hearing loss early has two considerable advantages.
- It provides clarity regarding challenges faced in environments like open offices, mitigating potential aggravations.
- Mental decline related to untreated hearing loss can be prevented with early detection.
If you’re experiencing difficulty following conversations despite “normal” hearing, consider getting a professional evaluation.
Overall cognitive function and auditory health will be improved by early diagnosis. Schedule a hearing exam today and investigate options right for you.