Not sure if this will help or not, but it may be a workaround for now.
If you hold the 'Shift' key down when you click on the 'Chatroom' option on the menu, it will open in a new browser window. Likewise if you hold the 'Ctrl' key down it will open in a new Tab in the current browser window.
If you have the sound enabled in the chat window, it makes a bird sound when a new chat message is posted.
You can then switch between the windows/tabs as neccessary. :-@
Check the settings just below the right hand corner of the chat window. Make sure the word Sound is not crossed out!