Your workplace recently adopted the trend of open-office floor plans, encouraging collaboration and teamwork. However, you find yourself struggling in this new setup. 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.
The inability to follow along with conversations in noisy environments often serves as an early indicator of hearing loss, despite conventional hearing exams producing normal outcomes. This indicates that having “normal” hearing doesn’t guarantee the ability to comprehend speech effectively.
The complexity of speech perception
Considerable brain power is required to undertake the complex task of speech recognition. Distinguishing speech from background noise and focusing on specific voices amongst a cacophony of sounds requires 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 noisy settings like restaurants and busy offices.
How to recognize the early signs of hearing loss
Here are a few ways that early hearing loss can manifest:
- Distraction and reduced engagement in social interactions.
- Problems understanding conversations in loud environments.
- The brain needs to work extra hard to comprehend speech causing increased mental exhaustion.
Testing for hearing loss
Uncovering such challenges can be challenging, especially when conventional diagnostics indicate normal hearing. Here are a couple of tests being formulated by researchers to identify hearing loss in its early stages:
- 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 strong sign that you’re having some hearing difficulty if these signals fluctuate in a specific way when you’re in a crowded location.
- The Eye Test: A special set of glasses is utilized in this test. These glasses can track the movement and dilation of your pupils. If your pupils react in a particular way, it implies that you’re concentrating a bit 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, coupled with personal observation, are able to identify hearing problems in their very early stages.
The Advantages of early detection
There are two significant benefits to early detection.
- Cognitive decline related to neglected hearing loss can be avoided with early detection.
- It reduces frustration by providing clarity about the difficulties of being in settings like open office plans.
Consider getting help if you’re having difficulty understanding speech even with “normal” hearing.
Early detection assures timely intervention, enhancing overall auditory health and cognitive function. Schedule a hearing exam today and investigate options right for you.
