To hear is human. Hearing plays a huge part in our lives as human beings and social creatures. Without it, there’s no communication and interaction with our peers. It’s safe to conclude that a healthy hearing can affect our mental well-being.
But what happens when you experience hearing loss? Does it also affect your mental health? Is there even an association between hearing loss and mental health? Discover the answers below.
The Hearing Health-Mental Health Connection
The link between hearing loss and mental health certainly exists. People with hearing loss, or even untreated hearing issues, may suffer from mood disorders or mental health conditions.
Suffering from a hearing loss means talking to people becomes a lot harder. You struggle to understand what they’re talking about. You also strain yourself more to comprehend what people say and wish to convey to you. Therefore, it’s easier to get frustrated, and you may end up avoiding social relationships altogether.
But avoiding interaction and isolating yourself will not help in the long run. As humans, you crave social engagement with friends and family. And if you don’t take steps to treat your hearing, even when you are with your friends and family you can feel isolated. Your loneliness deepens, leading to other mental health issues.
There’s also a link between hearing loss and accelerated brain shrinkage. This leads to an overload of your cognitive functions. The brain struggles to compensate for the lack of auditory input, causing stress, irritability, and more social isolation. It’s unsurprising that untreated hearing loss can eventually cause cognitive decline and dementia.
Your ear health influences your well-being. If your hearing health is disturbed, your quality of life is diminished. Other than facing challenges in social interactions, there’s also disturbance in your cognitive function. If you recognize and address the impact of hearing on your mental health, you can ensure the longevity of your well-being.
Coping Effectively with Hearing Loss
Coping with hearing loss to save your mental health has become a necessity. Start by going through these steps.
Get professional help
When you start detecting problems with your hearing, get yourself checked with a hearing specialist. A hearing professional like an audiologist can diagnose the scope of your impairment. They will then offer suitable treatment options. Depending on the severity of your impairment, they may suggest hearing aids or assistive listening devices.
These professionals can also offer advice on how to communicate with your loved ones. With their help, you will develop effective communication techniques and coping mechanisms specific to your needs.
Improve communication skills
Practicing to improve your communication skills will also help. You can ask your loved ones and coworkers to speak clearly while facing them directly. Try to reduce background noise during conversations. Then, develop visual cues by watching their facial expressions and body language.
If you train yourself to practice active listening, it will also give your friends and loved ones a chance to get used to your situation. For example, summarize what has been said and ask for clarifications. These techniques engage you fully in a conversation while coping with hearing loss or impairment.
Stay positive
Staying positive while coping with hearing loss is crucial to your daily living. First, accept the condition and understand its impact on your life. Then, seek support from your loved ones and the professionals. Finally, embrace the available technology that gives you back your confidence and independence.
With a more positive attitude in facing your hearing loss, you can avoid the risk of falling into anxiety or depression. There will be no need to isolate yourself socially and succumb to mental disorders.
Help from Hearing Aids
If a hearing specialist suggests wearing a hearing aid, don’t be self-conscious. Some think, “They’re only for the elderly.” Others say, “They’re large, bulky, and unattractive.” But these are no longer relevant.
Yes, older people are more likely to suffer from age-related hearing loss. That’s why most of them wear hearing aids. But the truth is, hearing loss can happen to anyone. Genetics, noise-induced hearing loss, or certain medical conditions can drive a person to needing hearing aids. Statistics show that around 30 million people starting from the age of 12 have started to experience hearing loss in both ears.
As for the second myth of bulky and unattractive hearing aids, technology has taken care of these problems. Newer hearing aid designs allow for smaller, discreet devices that are nearly invisible when worn. They can now hide behind or inside the ear. And these days, people have plenty of models and colors to choose from.
The cost is also often cited as a reason why people hesitate to invest in hearing aids. Yes, they can be pricey. But when you compare the price against the long-term benefits, their value increases. The good news is, some insurance plans cover some or all of the cost. You can apply for these plans to finance your hearing aid purchase.
Hearing aids are an investment in your well-being. Let the hearing aids improve your auditory pathways so you can combat social isolation and cognitive impairment. Overall, your life will become brighter.
Get Help from Hearing Associates of Las Vegas
Your mental health and hearing are linked. A healthy hearing will ensure the continued happiness of your well-being. Don’t let hearing issues affect your happiness. Get help from the experts if you need it. Only with a positive attitude can you cope with hearing loss or impairment.
If you have any hearing troubles, don’t hesitate to ask Hearing Associates of Las Vegas. Try our easy hearing quiz or schedule an appointment right away. We are here to help.
info@hearingassociateslv.com
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