Your workplace has decided to encourage teamwork and collaboration by opening up the office floor plan. 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.
Even if conventional hearing tests indicate totally fine hearing, the inability to hear conversations in loud settings is often an early sign of hearing loss. This indicates that having “normal” hearing doesn’t guarantee the ability to comprehend speech effectively.
Speech comprehension is a complex cognitive task that requires significant brainpower. Differentiating speech from background noise and focusing on particular voices amongst a cacophony of sounds demands optimal hearing abilities.
As hearing starts to go, the brain faces challenges in isolating and processing speech signals amidst competing noises. As a result, it becomes mentally fatiguing to be in noisy settings like restaurants and bustling offices.
Identifying hearing loss when it’s in its early phases
Here are a few ways that early hearing loss can manifest:
- Increased mental exhaustion due to heightened concentration required for listening.
- Distraction and decreased engagement in social interactions.
- Trouble understanding conversations in loud environments.
Testing for hearing loss
It can be especially hard to detect these types of difficulties when traditional hearing diagnostics seem to show normal hearing. However, scientists are looking into innovative tests to diagnose early stages of hearing loss:
- The Eye Test: For this test, you wear a special set of glasses. The movement and dilation of your pupils can be monitored with these glasses. If you’re concentrating a bit 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.
- Monitoring Electrical Signals: The electrical signal sent from your ears to your brain is tracked by an EEG in this test. If these signals change in a specific way while you’re in a crowded or noisy setting, that could be a strong indication of some problems with your hearing.
Early intervention will be possible if these tests, along with personal observation, are able to identify hearing issues in their very early stages.
What are the advantages of early detection?
There are two important benefits to early detection.
- Addressing hearing loss quickly prevents cognitive decline related to untreated hearing impairments.
- It provides clarity with regard to difficulties faced in environments like open offices, alleviating potential frustrations.
If you’re experiencing difficulty following conversations in spite of “normal” hearing, think about getting a professional evaluation.
Early diagnosis ensures timely intervention, enhancing overall auditory health and cognitive function. Schedule a hearing exam today and look into options right for you.
