Your workplace has chosen to encourage teamwork and collaboration by opening up the office floor plan. But this new setup has become challenging 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 along with conversations in loud settings often acts as an early indicator of hearing loss, in spite of conventional hearing exams producing normal results. This suggests that having “normal” hearing doesn’t guarantee the capacity to comprehend speech effectively.
Speech comprehension is a complex cognitive process that involves substantial brainpower. Optimal hearing capabilities are needed to differentiate voices in noisy environments.
It becomes increasingly challenging for the brain to focus in on speech in noisy settings as we get older. As a result, settings like bustling offices or crowded restaurants become mentally exhausting.
Recognizing hearing loss when it’s in its early phases
Early signs of hearing loss manifest in various ways:
- When in noisy settings, conversations are difficult to make out.
- Distraction and decreased engagement in social interactions.
- Increased mental exhaustion due to heightened concentration needed for listening.
Testing for hearing loss
Uncovering such challenges can be challenging, particularly when traditional diagnostics suggest normal hearing. Here are a couple of tests being developed by researchers to diagnose hearing loss in its early phases:
- Monitoring Electrical Signals: The electrical signal sent from your ears to your brain is monitored by an EEG in this test. If these signals fluctuate in a specific way while you’re in a crowded or loud environment, that could be a strong indication of some problems with your hearing.
- The Eye Test: A special pair of glasses is used in this test. The movement and dilation of your pupils can be monitored with these glasses. If your pupils behave in a particular way, it suggests that you’re concentrating a bit harder than usual. So if this tends to occur in crowded or loud areas, it could be an indication that you’re having to strain to hear.
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 advantages of early detection?
There are two important advantages to early detection.
- It reduces frustration by supplying clarity about the difficulties of being in places like open office plans.
- Dealing with hearing loss promptly prevents mental decline associated with neglected hearing impairments.
If you’re experiencing difficulty following conversations in spite of “normal” hearing, consider finding a professional assessment.
Overall cognitive function and auditory health will be improved by early diagnosis. Schedule a hearing exam today and explore options right for you.