Hearing Loss and Isolation - And How Hearing Aids Can Help!
Hearing loss has an impact on all areas of a person’s life, and one of the most pernicious effects can be on their social lives.
Struggling to hear a conversation can make social interactions frustrating and tiring and someone with hearing loss may feel left out or alone even when engaging in social activities. This can put a strain on a person’s existing relationships and it’s not uncommon for someone with hearing loss to start to withdraw from their loved ones. They may stop attending family events or arranging get-togethers with friends. Over time, this isolation can have a profound impact on a person’s quality of life and psychological well-being.
The psychological impacts of hearing loss
Social isolation as a result of hearing loss can lead to a great deal of distress. Not being able to communicate effectively with others means that the person experiencing hearing loss can’t share their troubles and receive adequate support when they need it. As they withdraw from social situations, they may miss out on many of the activities they love, experience friction in their relationships and suffer from loneliness.
When someone with hearing loss does have to interact with someone, they may become anxious or irritable due to how difficult a conversation can be for them to follow. This can have an impact on their sense of self-worth and cause them to withdraw even further.
Studies have found a link between hearing loss and depression in adults of all ages, but especially in older adults. In older adults, hearing loss is also associated with a greater risk of dementia, and it’s theorized that stress from social isolation could be a cause.
How hearing aids help reduce isolation
Using a hearing aid designed to meet their specific needs can be life-changing for someone experiencing hearing loss.
After receiving a hearing aid, many people find that they are more confident in social situations, as they don’t need to worry about missing parts of a conversation or misunderstanding what’s being said. This leads to greater participation in social events, strengthened relationships and more opportunities to form new connections. Overall, hearing loss patients who use hearing aids report improved mental and emotional well-being and are at a lower risk of experiencing depression and isolation.
How to get a hearing aid
Given the many benefits of using a hearing aid to one’s mental health, it’s important to get one as soon as you start to experience problems, rather than waiting until it’s unavoidable.
The process of acquiring a hearing aid starts with a hearing test and consultation with a registered audiologist. They’ll be able to access your hearing condition and make recommendations to ensure you receive the best hearing aid for your specific needs.
Discover Hearing is currently home to St. Albert’s only full-time registered audiologist, and we have 25 years of experience with providing St. Albert with the best hearing solutions. In Alberta, you don’t require a referral to see an audiologist, so contact us today to book an appointment.
