Has the Pandemic Impacted Hearing Loss Problems?

Because it’s difficult to converse with others who have hearing loss, it’s not surprising that those with hearing loss feel lonely and isolated. Our culture also recommends wearing masks and socially withdrawing, so it’s crucial we understand the importance of recognizing the effects of social isolation on hearing loss.

While communication barriers have intensified because of the pandemic, there are ways to improve them. First, it is essential to comprehend the types of hearing loss.

Types of Hearing Loss

Over 38 million people in the United States currently suffer from hearing loss, with many completely unaware of their condition.

Often associated with aging, sensorineural hearing loss occurs when the cochlea, the part of the inner ear that detects noise, loses its nerve hair cells. It usually begins to develop around 50 but can show up as early as 18.

Usually, the high-frequency or pitch range is affected, so sensitive listeners have trouble hearing speech in background noise, especially soft speech.

It is common for people to lose their hearing as they age, but it hastens the process if exposed to many loud sounds. Noise-induced hearing loss happens when people are exposed to loud noises once or repeatedly.

If you have sensorineural hearing loss, you may not hear speech sounds or hear people clearly. People with this type of hearing loss may perceive their communication as mumbling. Fortunately, this type of hearing loss can usually be treated with hearing aids.

Conductive hearing loss occurs when there is a blockage or damage in the ear canal or middle ear, preventing sound waves from reaching the ear. This condition may be caused by wax buildup in the ear canal. Sometimes, it can also be caused by an ear infection as well.

Medications and surgery can be used to treat some conductive hearing loss. Hearing aids can be also be used.

Beyond Hearing Aids

Despite using a hearing aid, many people with hearing loss have grown used to employing other methods to understand speech. Before COVID-19, lip-reading–a technique that assesses the movement of the lips and mouth to understand speech–was a standard method.

When lip-reading is used, one focuses on the mouth placement of the person they are speaking with-allowing them to essentially guess what is being said based on what they can see. Hearing aids don’t capture visual cues, so lip-reading can fill those gaps.

The ability to recognize body gestures (raised eyebrows, nods, shoulders shook, etc.) in a conversation can also aid in understanding the information being conveyed.

How the Pandemic Has Changed Everything

The pandemic has ushered in a new telephonic world where co-workers, family members, healthcare professionals, and others are only available via phone and video chats. Bad networks, choppy audio, and people speaking over each other make it difficult to have a clear conversation, even for those without a hearing impairment.

Not to mention that government and healthcare professionals encourage wearers to wear masks. Lip-reading is impossible with masks on. Understanding that It is crucial to use face coverings to control the spread of COVID-19, we must realize that’s difficult for hard-of-hearing people.

It goes without saying that people with hearing difficulties may have difficulty distinguishing between words when their face is obscured by a face covering. Face coverings also affect sound attenuation, making it challenging to communicate.

Another factor to consider is the space around the ears that wearing a mask requires.
There are many cases where hearing aids fall on the floor and are lost entirely, causing patients to become hesitant to wear them. If a patient has hearing and sight issues, they may have to wear one hearing aid, glasses, and the loops for a face mask at the same time.

In addition, outdoor settings (such as sidewalk restaurants) have environmental background noise that makes communicating more difficult. People with hearing loss find it more challenging to understand and participate in conversations outside due to these outdoor sounds.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people with hearing loss affected by the disease grew considerably, citing difficulty communicating verbally and accessing audiology services.

As many with hearing loss know, the most challenging part of dealing with your condition can be the introductory time before you get proper treatment. Since the pandemic, many patients have had issues going into the office to see audiologists. This has been difficult for many, including those who have not yet been diagnosed with a hearing problem.

This transitional period can be frightening, alarming, and confusing. Going into a safe environment and communicating with a professional in this field can do wonders for your overall well-being.

Luckily, Hearing Associates of Las Vegas does virtual visits for those needing assistance for their condition. Visit our website today to learn more and get back on the path towards healthy hearing.