Your workplace has decided to promote teamwork and collaboration by opening up the office floor plan. But this new setup has become a struggle for you. Not because you miss the privacy of cubicle walls, but because the elevated noise makes it difficult to follow conversations.
The inability to follow conversations in noisy environments often acts as an early indicator of hearing loss, despite conventional hearing exams producing normal results. You still may have trouble discerning conversations even with “Normal” hearing.
Considerable brain power is needed to carry out the complex task of speech recognition. Differentiating speech from background noise and focusing on specific voices amongst a cacophony of sounds demands optimal hearing capabilities.
As hearing begins to go, the brain faces difficulties in isolating and processing speech signals amidst competing noises. Because of this, it becomes mentally exhausting to be in loud settings like restaurants and bustling offices.
How to identify the early signs of hearing loss
Early signs of hearing loss manifest in various ways:
- The brain has to work extra hard to comprehend speech leading to increased mental exhaustion.
- When in noisy settings, conversations are difficult to understand.
- Distraction and reduced engagement in social interactions.
Testing for hearing loss
Uncovering such difficulties can be tricky, particularly when traditional diagnostics suggest normal hearing. However, scientists are looking into 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. It will be a strong sign that you’re having some hearing trouble if these signals fluctuate in a particular way when you’re in a crowded location.
- The Eye Test: A special pair of glasses is used in this test. These glasses can keep track of the movement and dilation of your pupils. If you’re concentrating a little harder than usual your pupils will react in a particular way. So if this tends to happen in crowded or noisy areas, it could be an indication that you’re having to strain to hear.
These tests, in conjunction with personal observations, attempt to detect hearing problems at their nascent stages, aiding early intervention.
What are the benefits of early detection?
There are two important advantages to early detection.
- It alleviates aggravation by providing clarity about the challenges of being in settings like open office plans.
- Mental decline related to neglected hearing loss can be prevented with early detection.
If you’re experiencing difficulty following conversations in spite of “normal” hearing, consider getting a professional assessment.
Early detection assures timely intervention, enhancing overall auditory health and mental function. Call us today and let us help you with any hearing loss you may have.
