Standard hearing tests determine how well an individual hears specific frequencies of sound. They are the most common method of identifying hearing loss and cannot diagnose hidden hearing loss. Hidden hearing loss is diagnosed through a speech-in-sound test. You may be a good candidate for a speech-in-sound test if you’re experiencing hearing difficulties but display normal audiogram results.
Let’s examine hidden hearing loss and how a speech-in-sound test can help identify and treat it.
What Is Hidden Hearing Loss?
Hidden hearing loss (HHL) is a recently identified disorder affecting auditory neural processing and hearing sensitivity. Presenting similarly to auditory processing disorders, HHL is different in that it is not an issue with the way the brain processes sound but is instead caused by a defect in the cochlea, the part of the inner ear responsible for transmitting sound.
The cochlea contains inner hair cells, outer hair cells and spiral ganglion neurons, which transmit acoustic information to the central auditory system. Hearing loss can result from damage to one or more of these parts of the cochlea.
With HHL, individuals will likely struggle to understand conversations in noisy environments. For instance, a conversation during dinner with friends at The 18hundred will feel difficult or impossible to follow due to the surrounding background noise. Behavioral side effects you may notice in yourself or others with HHL may include:
- Shying away from noisy environments
- Remaining quiet during a conversation
- Responding incorrectly or at the wrong time to questions
How Does a Speech-In-Sound Test Work?
A speech-in-sound test determines a person’s ability to perceive and understand sounds in noisy environments. Many speech-in-sound tests involve a machine playing words or phrases in the patient’s ear accompanied by a noisy environment. The patient’s hearing ability will be identified by their capability to understand and repeat the words and phrases at different noise levels.
How Is Hidden Hearing Loss Treated?
Hearing aids are a standard treatment for hidden hearing loss. The small devices can amplify speech sounds by reducing background noise to make it easier to hear in noisy environments.
For more information on managing your hearing loss, contact The House Institute today to make an appointment with one of our audiologists.