Your workplace recently adopted the trend of open-office floor plans, encouraging cooperation and teamwork. However, you find yourself having difficulties in this new configuration. Not because you miss the privacy of cubicle walls, but because the increased noise makes it difficult to follow conversations.
The inability to follow conversations in loud settings frequently serves as an early indicator of hearing loss, in spite of conventional hearing exams producing normal results. You still may have trouble discerning conversations even with “Normal” hearing.
Substantial brain power is needed to tackle the complex task of speech comprehension. Optimal hearing capabilities are required to differentiate voices in noisy environments.
As hearing begins to decline, the brain faces challenges in isolating and processing speech signals amongst competing sounds. As a result, settings like bustling offices or crowded restaurants become mentally exhausting.
Recognizing hearing loss when it’s in its early phases
Early indications of hearing loss manifest in a variety of ways:
- Increased mental fatigue as a result of heightened concentration needed for listening.
- When in noisy settings, conversations are hard to make out.
- Distraction and decreased engagement in social interactions.
Testing for hearing loss
Detecting such difficulties can be tricky, especially when conventional diagnostics indicate normal hearing. Here are a couple of 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 transmitted by your ears to your brain. It will be a potent sign that you’re having some hearing trouble if these signals change in a certain way when you’re in a crowded location.
- The Eye Test: For this diagnostics, you wear a special pair of glasses. These glasses can track the movement and dilation of your pupils. If your pupils behave in a certain way, it implies that you’re concentrating a bit harder than normal. But it could be a sign that you’re straining to hear if this occurs in a loud setting.
These tests, in conjunction with personal observations, aim to identify hearing problems at their emergent phases, aiding early intervention.
What are the benefits of early detection?
There are two important benefits to early detection.
- Dealing with hearing loss promptly prevents cognitive decline associated with untreated hearing impairments.
- It alleviates aggravation by providing clarity about the challenges of being in places like open office plans.
If you’re experiencing difficulty following conversations in spite of “normal” hearing, think about getting a professional assessment.
Early diagnosis assures timely intervention, enhancing total auditory health and mental function. Give us a call today and let us help you with any hearing loss you may have.