Is Your Selective Hearing Real, or is it actually Hearing Loss?

Having “selective hearing” is an excuse often given by someone who is distracted, preoccupied, or daydreaming. It also describes a situation when a person misses part of the conversation that doesn’t seem crucial to them. Their brain makes certain sounds a priority over others. 

When it comes to children, if there are too many distractions and sounds, the brain will filter out the things deemed unessential. Learning about and better understanding what easily distracts you and your children can significantly improve communication.

Selective Hearing

Think about a typical morning. Multiple noises are happening all at once. Maybe you are listening to the TV while hearing the sounds of clinking dishes and silverware being loud as everyone in your home is quickly fueling up for the day, or someone is asking you a question as they rush to get ready. 

Even though these noises happen simultaneously, you focused on the traffic report. 
The brain automatically manages sensory information by placing them at low levels of awareness through this process:

• Filtration and enhancement - you’ll pay more attention if someone calls your name.
• Selective perception - that’s the inability to enjoy a nice meal, conversation, or movie when you feel anxious. 
• Sensory contrast - noticing the difference between a bright flashlight in the dark, compared to a flashlight shining outside in the daylight. 
• Prioritizing - the feel of your clothes against your skin is not as noticeable unless there’s a tag brushing against your skin. 

4 Ways to Manage Selective Hearing

1. Be sure that you don’t have problems with your hearing. A buildup of fluid in the middle ear usually causes changes in your hearing. Aging causes high-frequency hearing loss. This type of hearing loss makes it difficult to understand speech. A hearing test can determine whether you have underlying health concerns that need treatment. 
2. When speaking to others, get their attention first. Be sure that other people are not wearing earbuds and listening to music/media when you are trying to talk. Everyone - no matter how good their hearing is, subliminally reads lips and facial expressions as cues, so being in a room with good lighting is also crucial.  
3. Keep the conversation short. After nearly 6 minutes, most adults will not fully pay attention to a topic that bores them. For children, just use one or two words. 
4. Observe good listening skills. Listen/watch how some TV/podcast hosts interview guests. Your undivided attention will encourage others to give you their undivided attention.

Ask yourself, “Do I have selective hearing, or do I have hearing loss?” The only way to know for sure is to contact us at Pure Sound Hearing for a complimentary hearing test to determine your hearing status.

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