Your workplace has chosen to promote teamwork and collaboration by opening up the office floor plan. However, you find yourself having difficulties in this new setup. Not because you miss the privacy of cubicle walls, but because the increased noise makes it difficult to follow conversations.
Even if mainstream hearing tests indicate totally normal hearing, the inability to hear conversations in loud environments is often an early sign of hearing loss. This suggests that having “normal” hearing doesn’t guarantee the ability to comprehend speech effectively.
The complexity of speech perception
Speech comprehension is a complex cognitive task that involves considerable brainpower. Optimal hearing abilities are necessary to distinguish voices in loud environments.
It becomes increasingly demanding for the brain to isolate speech in loud settings as we get older. As a result, settings like busy offices or crowded restaurants become mentally exhausting.
How to recognize the early signs of hearing loss
Early indications of hearing loss manifest in various ways:
- When in loud settings, conversations are difficult to understand.
- Distraction and reduced engagement in social interactions.
- The brain needs to work extra hard to comprehend speech leading to increased mental exhaustion.
Testing for hearing loss
Uncovering such difficulties can be tricky, particularly when conventional diagnostics suggest normal hearing. Here are some tests being developed by researchers to identify hearing loss in its early phases:
- The Eye Test: A special set of glasses is utilized in this test. The movement and dilation of your pupils can be tracked with these glasses. If you’re concentrating a bit harder than normal your pupils will behave in a particular way. But it may be an indication that you’re straining to hear if this happens in a noisy setting.
- 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 difficulty if these signals fluctuate in a particular way when you’re in a crowded location.
Early intervention will be possible if these tests, combined with personal observation, are able to detect hearing issues in their very early stages.
What are the benefits of early detection?
There are two significant benefits to early detection.
- Mental decline related to neglected hearing loss can be prevented with early detection.
- It reduces aggravation by providing clarity about the challenges of being in settings like open office plans.
If you’re experiencing difficulty following conversations in spite of “normal” hearing, consider getting a professional evaluation.
Early detection assures timely intervention, enhancing overall auditory health and mental function. Schedule a hearing exam today and investigate options right for you.