Your workplace recently embraced the trend of open-office floor plans, encouraging collaboration and teamwork. However, you find yourself struggling 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 noisy environments often serves 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
Substantial brain power is needed to carry out the complex task of speech recognition. Optimal hearing abilities are required to differentiate voices in loud environments.
As hearing starts to decline, the brain encounters challenges in separating and processing speech signals amidst competing noises. Consequently, settings like bustling offices or crowded restaurants become mentally exhausting.
Recognizing hearing loss when it’s in its early phases
Here are a number of ways that early hearing loss can manifest:
- The brain has to work overtime to comprehend speech leading to increased mental tiredness.
- Social isolation.
- When in loud settings, conversations are hard to understand.
Testing for hearing loss
Uncovering such challenges can be challenging, particularly when traditional diagnostics suggest normal hearing. However, researchers are looking into innovative tests to diagnose early signs of hearing loss:
- The Eye Test: A special set of glasses is used in this test. These glasses can track the movement and dilation of your pupils. If you’re concentrating a little harder than usual your pupils will react 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 transmitted from your ears to your brain is tracked by an EEG in this test. It will be a potent sign that you’re having some hearing difficulty if these signals fluctuate in a certain way when you’re in a crowded place.
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 significant advantages to early detection.
- It alleviates frustration by supplying clarity about the difficulties of being in places like open office plans.
- Dealing with hearing loss quickly prevents mental decline associated with untreated hearing impairments.
If you’re experiencing difficulty following conversations in spite of “normal” hearing, think about seeking a professional evaluation.
Overall cognitive function and auditory health will be improved by early diagnosis. Contact us today and let us help you with any hearing loss you might have.