Your workplace has decided to promote teamwork and cooperation by opening up the office floor plan. But this new arrangement has become a struggle for you. It’s because the elevated noise is making it challenging to follow along with conversation and not because you miss the privacy of cubical walls.
Even if conventional hearing tests indicate perfectly normal hearing, the inability to hear conversations in loud environments is often 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 required to carry out the complex task of speech comprehension. Differentiating speech from background noise and focusing on specific voices amidst a cacophony of sounds demands optimal hearing capabilities.
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 loud environments like restaurants and bustling offices.
How to recognize the early signs of hearing loss
Early signs of hearing loss manifest in a variety of ways:
- The brain needs to work overtime to comprehend speech causing increased mental fatigue.
- Trouble understanding conversations in loud environments.
- Social isolation.
Testing for hearing loss
Uncovering such challenges can be tricky, especially when traditional diagnostics suggest normal hearing. Here are some tests being formulated by scientists to diagnose hearing loss in its early stages:
- Monitoring Electrical Signals: In this test, a device tracks the electrical EEG signals sent by your ears to your brain. It will be a strong sign that you’re having some hearing trouble if these signals fluctuate in a certain way when you’re in a crowded location.
- The Eye Test: A special pair of glasses is utilized in this test. These glasses can track the movement and dilation of your pupils. If your pupils behave in a specific way, it suggests that you’re concentrating a little harder than usual. So if this tends to happen in crowded or noisy areas, it could be a sign that you’re having to strain to hear.
Early intervention will be possible if these tests, coupled with personal observation, are able to detect hearing issues in their very early stages.
The benefits of early detection
There are two important advantages to early detection.
- Addressing hearing loss promptly prevents mental decline related to untreated hearing impairments.
- It offers clarity regarding difficulties faced in settings like open offices, mitigating potential aggravations.
If you’re experiencing trouble following conversations in spite of “normal” hearing, consider seeking a professional assessment.
Total mental function and auditory health will be improved by early detection. Schedule a hearing exam today and explore solutions right for you.