Your workplace recently embraced the trend of open-office floor plans, promoting cooperation and teamwork. However, you find yourself having difficulties 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 settings frequently acts as an early indicator of hearing loss, despite conventional hearing exams producing normal results. This indicates that having “normal” hearing doesn’t guarantee the ability to comprehend speech effectively.
Significant brain power is needed to carry out the complex task of speech comprehension. Distinguishing speech from background noise and focusing on particular voices amidst a cacophony of sounds demands optimal hearing capabilities.
As hearing starts to go, the brain encounters difficulties in isolating and processing speech signals amongst competing noises. Consequently, settings like busy offices or crowded restaurants become mentally fatiguing.
How to identify the early signs of hearing loss
Early signs of hearing loss manifest in various ways:
- Distraction and decreased engagement in social interactions.
- The brain has to work overtime to comprehend speech causing increased mental tiredness.
- When in loud settings, conversations are hard to make out.
Testing for hearing loss
Detecting such difficulties can be challenging, especially when traditional diagnostics indicate 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 particular way while you’re in a crowded or loud setting, that could be a strong indication of some issues with your hearing.
- The Eye Test: For this diagnostics, you put on a special pair of glasses. The movement and dilation of your pupils can be tracked with these glasses. If your pupils behave in a particular way, it suggests that you’re concentrating a little harder than usual. But it could be a sign that you’re straining to hear if this happens in a noisy setting.
These tests, in conjunction with personal observations, aim to identify hearing problems at their nascent stages, facilitating early intervention.
What are the benefits of early detection?
There are two important benefits to early detection.
- Dealing with hearing loss promptly prevents mental decline related to neglected hearing impairments.
- It reduces frustration by supplying clarity about the challenges of being in settings like open office plans.
Consider getting help if you’re having trouble understanding speech even with “normal” hearing.
Early diagnosis assures timely intervention, enhancing overall auditory health and mental function. Schedule a hearing exam today and explore options right for you.
