I have difficulty hearing in noisy places: What to do if you're struggling to hear with background noise

I Have Difficulty Hearing in Noisy Places. Do I have hearing loss?

What to do if you're struggling to hear with background noise

Overview    |    Hearing's role and challenges in noise    |    Tips for improving hearing in noise    |    Conclusion

Hearing is an important part of our daily lives, allowing us to communicate, stay connected with others, and engage with our environment. For many, hearing loss or difficulty hearing in certain situations can become frustrating and even isolating. One of the most common niggles among those with hearing challenges is the difficulty hearing in noisy places.

Whether it’s at your favourite coffee spot, a crowded pub with friends, or a busy train station, these environments can make simple conversations feel like a struggle. But why does this happen, does it indicate hearing loss, and what can be done about it? 

In this article, we briefly chat about the challenges of hearing loss, its complexities, its role, and how you can hear better amongst the noise.

Hearing is complex

Our ability to hear is a complex process. Sound waves travel through the air, enter the ear canal, and vibrate the eardrum. These vibrations are then passed through tiny bones in the middle ear before reaching the cochlea in the inner ear, where they are converted into electrical signals that the brain can interpret.

This process seems straightforward, but when there’s a disruption, whether it’s due to age, illness, or damage, the clarity of sound can alter and shift.  In quiet environments, such as at home or in a quiet office, the brain can more easily distinguish sounds, especially speech. 

However, when there is background noise, the brain has to work much harder to pick out the specific sound you're trying to focus on. This is where many people experience difficulties.

Related reading:  Hearing aids for background noise

Why is hearing in noise so challenging?

The challenge of hearing in noisy places is due to a few reasons. First, there’s what is known as auditory masking. In simple terms, when background noise is present, it can mask or obscure the speech you are trying to hear.

The brain finds it difficult to separate the sounds you want to focus on from the noise around you, especially when those sounds are similar in frequency to the background noise.

For example, if you’re in a crowded cafe, the sound of clinking cups and others chatting can interfere with your ability to hear someone speaking directly to you. This is especially true if the speaker’s voice is of a similar pitch to the surrounding noise. As a result, the conversation becomes harder to follow, and the experience can quickly become frustrating.

Another reason for difficulty hearing in noisy environments is a poor signal-to-noise ratio. This term means the difference between the strength of the sound you want to hear and the background noise.

In a loud place, the signal (the voice you want to hear) may be drowned out by the noise, especially if it is soft-speaking. Even for those with normal hearing, this can lead to strained listening and understanding.

Related reading:  How to cope with listening and digital fatigue

Hearing loss and its role

While hearing challenges in noisy places can affect anyone, people with hearing loss often find these situations particularly difficult. Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) is a common cause of difficulty in noisy environments.

As we age, the hair cells in the cochlea gradually deteriorate, affecting our ability to hear higher frequencies and distinguish speech from background noise. This makes conversations in noisy places much more challenging.

Other forms of hearing loss, such as sensorineural or conductive hearing loss, can also make it difficult to hear in noise. People with sensorineural hearing loss often struggle with background noise because their inner ear is less effective at distinguishing sounds.

Similarly, conductive hearing loss, which occurs when there is a problem in the outer or middle ear, can result in poor sound clarity, especially in noisy situations.

Tips for improving communication in noisy places

If you have difficulty hearing in noisy places, there are several things you can do that can help improve your ability to communicate and engage with your surroundings.

• Position yourself better:  When entering a noisy environment, try to position yourself where there is less ambient noise. Sitting with your back to the wall or near a quieter area of the room can help reduce distractions.

Try to face the person you’re speaking with directly, as this allows you to pick up on lip movements and facial expressions that can help with understanding.

• Check your hearing:  If you're concerned about your hearing, schedule a visit with an audiologist. They can perform a professional assessment to determine how well you're hearing. If any hearing loss is detected, they'll guide you through the best treatment options tailored to your needs.
• Think about hearing aids:  Hearing aids can be programmed to amplify speech while reducing background noise. Many modern hearing aids are equipped with directional microphones, which focus on sounds coming from in front of you and reduce noise from other directions.
• Tap into your hearing aid app:  If you already wear hearing aids, use your app for support.  They help reduce background noise by using smart features like directional microphones, personalised sound profiles, and AI-powered filtering to focus on speech and minimise distractions.

Some even let your phone act as a remote mic, bringing clearer sound directly to your ears in noisy settings.

• Ask for support:  Don’t be afraid to ask for accommodations in noisy settings. For instance, if you’re in a restaurant, ask to be seated in a quieter area. In meetings or work environments, it might help to ask for a written summary or use video conferencing tools that allow for clearer communication.
• Practice "active listening":  In noisy environments, it’s essential to be proactive about listening. This can include making sure you’re in the best position to hear, focusing on the speaker’s mouth, and getting rid of distractions as much as possible. If you don’t understand something, don’t hesitate to ask the person to repeat themselves or speak more slowly.

 Related reading:  Communication strategies for those with hearing loss

Conclusion

Hearing in noisy places can be a challenge for many people, particularly for those with hearing loss. While the complexity of hearing and the nature of background noise can make it difficult to distinguish speech in crowded environments, there are ways to improve communication.

Those with hearing challenges can navigate noisy situations more effectively by using assistive technology, wearing hearing aids, making strategic seating choices, and practising active listening. With the right support, it’s possible to maintain a rich and rewarding social life, even in the noisiest of places.