Your workplace recently adopted the trend of open-office floor plans, promoting collaboration and teamwork. However, you find yourself struggling in this new setup. Not because you miss the privacy of cubicle walls, but because the increased noise makes it hard to follow conversations.
The inability to follow along with conversations in noisy environments frequently acts as an early indicator of hearing loss, in spite of conventional hearing exams producing normal outcomes. You still may have trouble discerning conversations even with “Normal” hearing.
The complexity of speech perception
Speech comprehension is a complex cognitive task that requires significant brainpower. Optimal hearing capabilities are needed to differentiate voices in loud environments.
It becomes increasingly challenging for the brain to focus in on speech in noisy settings as we get older. As a result, settings like busy offices or crowded restaurants become mentally exhausting.
Identifying hearing loss when it’s in its early stages
Early indications of hearing loss manifest in various ways:
- The brain has to work overtime to comprehend speech leading to increased mental tiredness.
- Problems understanding conversations in noisy environments.
- Distraction and decreased engagement in social interactions.
Hearing loss examinations
It can be particularly difficult to detect these kinds of difficulties when traditional hearing diagnostics appear to reveal normal hearing. However, researchers are exploring innovative tests to diagnose early signs of hearing loss:
- Monitoring Electrical Signals: The electrical signal sent from your ears to your brain is monitored by an EEG in this test. If these signals change in a certain way while you’re in a crowded or noisy setting, 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. The movement and dilation of your pupils can be tracked with these glasses. If your pupils react 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 an indication that you’re having to strain to hear.
Early intervention will be possible if these tests, combined with personal observation, are able to identify hearing issues in their very early stages.
The Advantages of early detection
There are two significant benefits to early detection.
- It offers clarity regarding difficulties faced in settings like open offices, alleviating potential frustrations.
- Cognitive decline associated with untreated hearing loss can be avoided with early detection.
Think about finding help if you’re having difficulty understanding speech even with “normal” hearing.
Early diagnosis ensures timely intervention, enhancing overall auditory health and mental function. Schedule a hearing exam today and explore solutions right for you.