Hearing loss has a myriad of effects on all facets of life including relationships. Communication is an essential way we navigate daily life and sustain connections with others. A major consequence of untreated hearing loss is that it strains communication, making it challenging to engage in conversations. This can lead to wanting to engage with others less – social withdrawal is another outcome of untreated hearing loss. These effects can take a toll on relationships in numerous ways. It is important to understand that hearing loss not only impacts you but also your relationships. This highlights the importance of seeking treatment which offers countless benefits including improving relationships.
Symptoms & Impact of Untreated Hearing Loss
Hearing loss is a chronic medical condition that reduces a person’s ability to perceive and process sound. This produces a range of symptoms including:
- Tinnitus: a buzzing, ringing, or “whooshing” noise in one or both ears.
- Sounds are distorted or muffled.
- It’s difficult to identify individual words.
- Increasing the volume on electronic devices like the TV or phone.
- Asking others to speak louder, slower, or repeat themselves.
- Struggling to keep up with conversations, especially in places with background noise.
- Needing to move to a quieter space to hear more clearly.
- Lip reading to distinguish words.
These symptoms can be mild to more severe depending on the degree of hearing loss present. This serves as a barrier to engaging in easeful conversation, making communication challenging. These symptoms force people with hearing loss to work harder to try and hear as well as understand what is being said. This can not only be exhausting but lead to miscommunication, unpleasant interactions, and strain on relationships.
Strained communication often leads to social withdrawal. This can look like skipping out on gatherings, social activities, and spending less time with loved ones. Social withdrawal contributes to depressive symptoms like loneliness, sadness, and anxiety. This all can take a toll on relationships in significant ways. People often report feeling unheard of or ignored by their loved ones with hearing loss. While they are likely trying to process what is being said, this can be interpreted as not being present and engaged. Additionally, spending less quality time leads to frustration, tension, and distance in relationships.
Treating Hearing Loss Improves Relationships
Fortunately, there are effective hearing solutions that offer life-changing benefits including improving relationships. The most common way that hearing loss is treated is with hearing aids. These are electronic devices that are equipped with the technology to absorb, amplify, and process sound. This provides the auditory system – ears and brain – with ample hearing support which makes it easier to absorb and understand speech as well as sound. Hearing aids alleviate symptoms as well as maximize hearing capacity which transforms many facets of life.
People are better able to engage in conversations, navigate social settings, and participate in various activities. Hearing aids heightened hearing abilities which supports people readily understanding and contributing to the conversation. This enhances the quality time that people can spend with others and the range of conversations that can be engaged in. Hearing aids support effective communication which is incredibly beneficial for relationships. This strengthens connection, intimacy, and closeness which are key ingredients for healthy and long-lasting relationships.
Prioritize Your Hearing Health with Plattsburgh Hearing
The first step towards addressing hearing loss is having your hearing assessed. Hearing evaluations are conducted by hearing healthcare specialists. This diagnostic tool is painless and involves a noninvasive process that measures hearing capacity in both ears. This identifies any hearing loss and the degree of hearing loss you could be experiencing. At Plattsburgh Hearing, we take the time to get to know you and your hearing health history. This includes the symptoms you are experiencing, concerns you have, and understanding the lifestyle factors that impact hearing health. This information coupled with your hearing test results helps us identify your hearing health needs and tailor treatment to meet your specific needs.
Today’s hearing aids have experienced significant innovation. There is a wide range of options, styles, and features that are designed to maximize your listening and user experience. We work with industry-leading brands and have extensive knowledge about the latest hearing aid models available to you. We use this expertise to help you navigate your options, supporting you to choose a device that is optimal for your hearing and lifestyle needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a hearing consultation.