HEARING IN DIFFICULT, NOISY SITUATIONS Hearing a conversation in a noisy environment has been one of the top complaints of those with hearing loss. Extremely noisy environments pose challenges for everyone, even those with normal hearing. Recent research has found that each individual’s auditory system stimulates the brain in a unique fashion, especially when attempting to communicate in a noisy environment. In other words, our ability to hear in noisy situations cannot always be predicted with a traditional hearing test/audiogram. For example, two people with normal hearing or identical hearing losses may have very different abilities to hear in noise. Recently, clinical tests have been developed to specifically measure our ability to hear in noisy situations. Further studies revealed that our hearing in noise ability is independent of any hearing loss. You need a “hearing in noise” test to determine your ability to hear well in noise. Surprisingly, only 42% of hearing health care offices use some type of “hearing in noise” test1. At Hometown Hearing & Audiology, all of our offices have this new clinical test available. Once assessed, a recommendation and expectations can be tailored to your hearing in noise ability. 1 The Hearing Review, June 2006. HR 2006 Dispenser Survey. BACK TO BETTER HEARING