Your workplace has decided to promote teamwork and cooperation by opening up the office floor plan. But this new arrangement has become challenging for you. It’s because the elevated noise is making it difficult to follow along with conversation and not because you miss the privacy of cubical walls.
Even if mainstream hearing tests indicate perfectly normal hearing, the inability to hear conversations in loud settings is frequently an early sign of hearing loss. This indicates that having “normal” hearing doesn’t guarantee the ability to comprehend speech effectively.
Substantial brain power is needed to undertake the complex task of speech comprehension. Optimal hearing abilities are necessary to distinguish voices in noisy environments.
It becomes increasingly challenging for the brain to focus in on speech in noisy settings as we get older. Because of this, it becomes mentally exhausting to be in noisy environments like restaurants and bustling offices.
Recognizing hearing loss when it’s in its early stages
Here are a number of ways that early hearing loss can manifest:
- The brain needs to work overtime to comprehend speech causing increased mental fatigue.
- When in loud settings, conversations are difficult to make out.
- Social isolation.
Hearing loss tests
Uncovering such difficulties can be tricky, particularly when conventional diagnostics indicate normal hearing. However, scientists are exploring innovative tests to diagnose early stages of hearing loss:
- Monitoring Electrical Signals: In this test, a device monitors 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 environment, that could be a strong indication of some issues with your hearing.
- The Eye Test: For this diagnostics, you wear a special set of glasses. These glasses can monitor the movement and dilation of your pupils. If you’re concentrating a little harder than usual your pupils will behave in a particular way. But it could be an indication that you’re straining to hear if this occurs in a noisy setting.
These tests, coupled with personal observations, aim to identify hearing problems at their emergent phases, facilitating early intervention.
The Advantages of early detection
Detecting even minor hearing loss early has two considerable advantages.
- Dealing with hearing loss promptly prevents cognitive decline related to neglected hearing impairments.
- It reduces frustration by supplying clarity about the difficulties of being in places like open office plans.
Consider finding help if you’re having difficulty understanding speech even with “normal” hearing.
Early diagnosis assures timely intervention, enhancing overall auditory health and mental function. Schedule a hearing exam today and look into solutions right for you.