The Psychological Effects Of Living With Hearing Loss

It’s easy to overlook the importance of being able to hear correctly. It’s one of those things that we don’t think all that much about when everything is fine. But when we experience hearing loss, we understand just how important it really is. The impact of losing your hearing can be profound regardless of the severity, and the impact isn’t just physical. There is often a psychological component at play, too. In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the psychological impact of living with hearing loss, as well as provide some guidance on what you can do if you find yourself in that position. 

What Causes Hearing Loss?

First, let’s think about what causes hearing loss in the first place. There are many reasons why someone’s hearing may begin to deteriorate, including routine exposure to loud noises, such as in the case of touring musicians and people who work with loud machinery. But the most common cause is the aging process. As we age, it’s more likely that our hearing begins to worsen, either due to ear damage or because of genetics. However, it’s important to remember that even if you do have hearing loss, you can work with an audiologist to help to find a treatment solution that works for you.

The Psychological Effects

Hearing loss isn’t only a physical condition – it’s a psychological one too. As with many other physical issues, losing your hearing can have an impact on your overall experience of life. Below, we’ll run through just some of the ways in which losing your hearing may impact your life. 

Misunderstandings Caused by Hearing Loss

Communication is key in all relationships. If you’re unable to hear correctly, then it’s much more likely that you’ll experience misunderstandings and breakdowns in communication with your loved ones. This can create an environment in which a connection between people that otherwise love each other begins to break down, and that can lead to a whole host of unwelcome side effects. Ultimately, by taking control of your hearing, you’ll be helping to minimize misunderstandings with your friends and family members, and that can only be a positive thing. 

Frustration During Conversations

Whether we like it or not, we live in a sound-heavy world. If you’re not able to hear correctly, then a whole host of issues can arise, from trivial to important. For example, you might find that you’re not able to follow what’s being said on television as well as you used to. While that might not sound like the worst thing in the world if it happens once, if it’s your everyday experience, then you’ll be more likely to have feelings of frustration. Even if you can manage the emotional reaction to this, the fatigue that comes with having to strain your hearing can make you additionally tired, which can further disrupt your enjoyment of life. 

Potential to Isolate

Studies have shown that people that experience hearing loss are more likely to become socially withdrawn than people that have full hearing. They’re less likely to visit their friends if they find it difficult to follow the conversation, for example. While missing the occasional social event isn’t that big of a deal, the fact is that humans are social creatures and spending time with others is hugely important to our overall wellbeing. Indeed, some studies even show that staying social plays a big role in the longevity of life. By tackling your hearing issues head on, you can help to keep your social life intact.

Depression and Untreated hearing Loss

Studies have also linked hearing loss with an increased risk of feelings of depression. It can be distressing to live in a world where you are unable to hear as well as you need to – or as well as you used to be able to hear. There’s a considerable link between a person’s physical and psychological wellbeing, too. With loss of hearing linked to multiple chronic health conditions, it’s important to speak with an audiologist as early as possible. 

Treatment Options

If you suspect that you may be experiencing hearing loss, then get in touch with our team here at The Hearing Doctors as soon as possible. Our team of audiologists can evaluate your hearing and, if it’s found that you do have hearing loss, can offer a range of treatment options. We stock various types of hearing aids, so you can find the one that’s right for you. To make an appointment, simply call our team at (630) 315-2899.