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

Have you recently found that you can’t hear people very well when there is mild background noise? It’s possible that you are experiencing hearing loss. When your hearing changes, you might find it more of a challenge to hear people even when there is only a little more noise than usual. Here’s why this can be the case.

There Are Different Types of Hearing Loss

People often assume that there is only one type of hearing loss. But this is not the case. People can experience hearing loss in lots of different ways. For instance, you could be experiencing hearing loss that is minor, moderate or severe. Depending on your hearing loss, you might also find it more difficult to hear noises with certain frequencies. Some people experiencing hearing loss find it more of a challenge to hear sounds that have higher frequencies compared to lower tones.

There are other types of hearing loss too. For instance, you could be experiencing sensorineural hearing loss. This is the most common type of hearing loss that can impact people. With this possibility, the inner ear nerves and hair cells have changed. As such, your hearing level decreases.

You could also be experiencing conductive hearing loss. Usually, this will occur when an obstruction causes hearing loss. This obstruction can be either in the middle or outer ear. This can be due to a build-up of earwax or even a tumor. This is why it’s always important to make sure that you do get your hearing checked when you notice a change. It’s possible that your hearing loss can be essentially cured if it is conductive.

Why is Hearing Loss Impacted by Background Noise?

If you are having trouble hearing when there are some background noises then it’s likely that you are experiencing moderate levels of hearing loss. It becomes more difficult to differentiate what you are trying to listen to from the noise around you.

Essentially, your ears become distracted by the sound that is occurring around you. If you speak to an audiologist, then they will be able to recommend the best treatment option available.

You might also find that you have this difficulty because you are experiencing high frequency hearing loss. As mentioned, some people do find that their hearing changes so that they can’t hear high frequency sounds. You may experience changes to your hearing which means that you can’t hear sounds that are over 2000hz. If there is background noise or you are in a large group of people you could experience issues here. But there are treatment options available to you.

What Treatment Is Available for Hearing Loss?

There are various different forms of treatment available for hearing loss. However, the main option recommended by audiologists is hearing aids. With hearing aids, you will be able to hear more clearly regardless of what type of hearing loss that you are experiencing.

It could also be worth exploring hearing aids that have different features. These can provide the additional support you need if you are struggling to hear with low levels of background noise. For instance, you might want to think about getting hearing aids with masking technology. Masking technology will mask other noises that you are not listening to so that you can focus on the sound that is important like the sound of someone talking to you.

Alternatively, some hearing aids also have direction control. This means that you can focus the hearing aids to ensure that you can hear a sound more clearly from a certain direction. That can be useful if you are speaking to someone who is sitting next to you or directly opposite in a room or environment that is quite noisy.

What Should You Do If You Notice Changes to Your Hearing?

If you do notice changes to your hearing and you are finding it more difficult to hear people in a noisy environment, it is important to make sure that you speak to an audiologist. They can complete a hearing test and check whether you are experiencing any level of hearing loss. They will also be able to provide the best treatment option available and guarantee that this does not impact your overall quality of life.

We hope this helps you understand everything that you need to know about why you might be experiencing trouble hearing people with mild background noise. If you are interested in learning more about why you might be experiencing something like this, then you should contact Davis Audiology at (864) 810-6238.