Many people have trouble hearing conversations in loud places. When they get a hearing test, the results are normal. This can be really frustrating. It’s called ‘hidden hearing loss’. Hidden Hearing Loss is different from hearing loss. Regular hearing loss shows up on hearing tests. Hidden hearing loss affects how the brain understands sound. So people may have trouble understanding speech even if they can hear normally.
At San Hearing Clinic we help people figure out and manage hearing problems. We do evaluations and give suited care.
What Is Hidden Hearing Loss?
Hidden hearing loss is actually a hearing problem. People with this noise-induced trauma have difficulty understanding speech in busy environments. Their results of the hearing test make them feel normal. It’s known as “hidden” because common hearing tests do not always detect the issue.
Researchers think hidden hearing loss happens when there’s damage to the connections between the ears’ hair cells and the auditory nerve. This damage is called synaptopathy. It can make it hard for the brain to process sounds correctly.
Common Symptoms of Hidden Hearing Loss
People with hidden hearing loss usually have these symptoms:
Trouble understanding conversations in places
They often ask others to repeat what they said
They struggle to follow group discussions
What Causes Hidden Hearing Loss?
Noise Exposure
When you’re in loud places like concerts or wear headphones or are near noisy machinery or traffic, it can damage the connections in your auditory nerve. This can happen even if your hearing seems normal.
Aging
As people get older small changes can occur in the way they hear. This can make it harder for them to understand what others are saying and to make sense of sounds.
Genetic Factors
Some people might be born with a problem that makes it harder for them to process sounds. This can lead to hidden hearing loss. This means they might have trouble hearing because of their genetics.
How Hidden Hearing Loss Is Diagnosed
To figure out if you have hidden hearing loss you will need to have a hearing test. This test may include:
Speech-in-noise testing
Auditory processing evaluations
Detailed look at your history
A check for tinnitus
Advanced tests to see how well your auditory nerve is working
When Should You Seek Help?
If you have time to understand what people are saying even when your hearing test says you can hear just fine you should go see a hearing specialist. If you do not do something about it, you might get more and more frustrated. You might start to avoid talking to people because it is hard to communicate.
Conclusion
Hearing loss is a real thing that affects a lot of people. If you have trouble hearing what people are saying when it is noisy even if your hearing test is normal, you should get a professional to check you out. San Hearing Clinic can give you a hearing test, advanced diagnostic services and a personalized plan to help you take care of your hearing. Contact us today to make an appointment and start hearing clearly and feeling more confident about your hearing.
