No one should have to live with hearing loss. Still, the fact remains that it is a fact of life for many of us, both young and old. Hearing loss isn’t something most of us talk about regularly. But when we do, it’s typically in reference to how it impacts everyday life. Today we’d like to focus on an aspect of hearing loss that is not so frequently discussed: its psychological consequences.
Today we’ll address an aspect of hearing loss that is not so frequently discussed: its psychological consequences.
Isolation
Many people who are hard of hearing report intense feelings of isolation. If you don’t have hearing loss yourself, you might not think too much about how speech is your primary way of communicating with others and fostering interpersonal connections.
Alternative means of communication such as sign language or writing can help to curb these feelings of isolation. Still, a majority of people don’t understand sign language, making it difficult to have genuine connections with the masses.
Anxiety
Even those with relatively minor hearing loss may experience anxiety as a result of it. We have all had the experience of asking someone to repeat themselves, and maybe the person who we’ve asked didn’t take it well. Individuals with hearing loss find themselves in this position far more often.
It’s easy to see how this and other situations arising from hearing loss can cause individuals to develop social anxiety.
Depression
Both of the psychological consequences of hearing loss we’ve described above can contribute to feelings of depression. It’s natural that one would experience feelings of sadness as a result of their hearing loss. But when the isolation and anxiety resulting from it causes prolonged periods of sadness, psychologists might consider this depression.
Depression can be debilitating to both the personal and professional lives of the sufferer. It is one of the most common mental health conditions around, but don’t fool yourself into thinking it isn’t serious.
The Way Out
There might not be a way to return your hearing ability to how it once was. But that doesn’t mean we can’t make it better. No matter how advanced your hearing loss is, there is a support network available to you, and technology to help. Contact us today to schedule a hearing evaluation and get your life back.
Contact Bay Area Audiology Today
Ready to change the way you look at hearing loss? Our Doctor of Audiology, Dr. Trisha A. Bents Muth, is exceptionally experienced in the art of audiology and is dedicated to providing the absolute best solutions. Bay Area Audiology has been working to give patients a comfortable environment with thorough evaluations. We are independently owned, and unbiased when it comes to finding you the care you need.
You can always come into the office or contact us in advance to set up an appointment. We also provide updates on our social media websites. You can check out our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Pinterest to keep up with Bay Area Audiology.
Don’t hesitate–we can help.