Why Can’t You Hear People Very Well with Mild Background Noise?

If you are struggling to hear people when there is background noise, it is a good idea to book an appointment with a hearing instrument specialist in order to get to the bottom of it. A lot of people assume that hearing loss is the inability to hear any sort of sounds at all. While this is one form of hearing loss, there are many ways that you can experience with this condition. One form of hearing loss is when a person cannot hear when there is mild background noise. This can often be a symptom of auditory processing disorder and we will reveal everything that you need to know about it.

Do you have trouble hearing people in noisy places?

When we get older, especially if we have been exposed to loud noises on a regular basis, it can cause presbycusis. This is a medical term for gradual hearing loss that is caused when the hair cells in the cochlea – your inner ear – die. These cells are responsible for translating sound vibrations into brain signals. There are only around 15,000 of these hair cells in the cochlea and they do not regenerate. This is why it can be difficult for people to recognize specific sounds once they get older. 

One of the first noticeable signs of hearing loss is struggling to hear in places such as busy restaurants. This is because filtering out noise in the background can be a fairly complicated process, which demands precise auditory input from both of your ears. It’s not so taxing to have a quiet conversation. 

Therefore, if you notice that you have started to struggle to hear people when there is background noise, you are advised to book an appointment with an audiologist sooner rather than later. This is important because it could prevent any potential hearing loss from getting worse. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry, right? By seeing an audiologist, you will be able to get the help you need, whether this means wearing a hearing device or simply having the peace of mind that your hearing is in fine condition. 

What is auditory processing disorder (APD)?

This is a form of hearing loss whereby the brain cannot process sounds in the normal manner. It can have an impact on people of all ages, yet it does often start at childhood. No matter how old you are, if you start to notice that you are struggling to hear while there is background noise, it is important to make sure you book an appointment with a hearing instrument specialist sooner rather than later. They will be able to carry out some tests in order to get to the bottom of what you are experiencing. This can then be used to determine what sort of hearing device will help you to hear clearly when there is background noise. 

What are the common symptoms of auditory processing disorder?

It is important to recognize that hearing problems and hearing loss differ from person to person. This is most certainly the case when it comes to APD, as it can impact people in a lot of different ways. Generally speaking, this is a condition that can impact the following:

• Your ability to enjoy music
• Your ability to focus when there is noise in the background. This can make it a challenge to remember instructions and understand people. It can also lead to challenges when it comes to spelling, reading, and speaking in a clear manner.
• Your ability to distinguish sounds that are similar from one and other, for example, called versus cold and soldier versus shoulder.
• Your ability to understand speech. This is especially the case if there is background noise, the sound quality is poor, the person is speaking quickly or there is more than one person speaking.

Contact Sound Choice Hearing for more information

If you would like to find out more about your hearing condition and speak with an experienced audiologist concerning this, all you need to do is get in touch with Sound Choice Hearing today. Contact us today at (505) 565-7960. You will be able to discuss your concerns and book an appointment in order to get to the bottom of the hearing condition that you are experiencing. The team are extremely friendly and will make you feel at ease, so please do not hesitate to get in contact.