Dealing with hearing loss isn’t as straightforward as most people imagine. To begin with, you must accept that your hearing what it should be, which is difficult because it can be quickly passed off as “one of those things.”
The reality is different. Losing pitch and frequency in your ears can lead to lifestyle issues that make your daily routine more challenging. You might not see it yet, but many adults and children grow to feel disconnected for the simple fact they can’t follow conversations as effectively or interact as they want to.
Coming to terms with hearing loss, then, is essential. Of course, it’s not as easy as clicking your fingers and dealing with your emotions. It takes time and effort to get to a place where you feel comfortable. How do you reach this destination? It’s down to the individual, yet the tips underneath are generally accepted to be helpful.
Realize you’re not alone
Part of the problem is that you believe you’re alone. Everyone else is getting on with their lives while you’re letting yourself down by not taking care of your oral health. This is nonsense. In truth, 48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss, which equates to around 14% of the population.
The number is bigger when you take countries from around the world into account. The WHO reports that the figure is closer to 1.5 billion from a global perspective. While these statistics won’t cure the problem, they do offer comfort since they prove that it’s a common experience for billions of people.
So, if you assume you are alone, remember that you’re not. Hearing loss occurs worldwide, which means there is someone who understands what you’re going through and can give you help and guidance.
Reach out
Now that you’re aware of the extent of the issue, you should feel more confident reaching out to loved ones to talk about your experience. And it’s vital that you do tell them what’s going on as hearing loss is similar to any type of hearing loss you will deal with in your life.
A support network is essential because it will let you process your emotions and get them off your chest. Allowing the stress and tension to build up inside is an unhealthy approach as the feelings will boil over. When they do, the situation will be worse than you previously imagined. Also, don’t forget that you might need to vent even if you have a hearing device fitted.
It takes time to get used to a hearing aid. However, your friends and family might believe the problem is fixed, and your hearing is back to normal. This can cause problems if you’re still transitioning, which is why it’s critical that you don’t hide your emotions.
Try and make talking less stressful
Nobody understands the anxiety that talking causes if they have never experienced hearing loss. The stress is too much for most people, which is why they become reclusive. If you feel yourself doing the same thing, please know that there are options on the table other than a hearing device.
For instance, you can tweak the environment around you to make it better for your condition. At home, this can include everything from turning the volume on the TV down to eliminating all background noises. That way, your ears have fewer distractions to deal with when attempting to pick up sounds.
When you leave the house, be sure to take precautions. This is as simple as picking a quiet, cozy spot to have a conversation. A busy bar makes life tough, whereas a private corner in a coffee shop is much more conducive to keeping up with a conversation.
Schedule an appointment with an audiologist
Dealing with hearing loss doesn’t have to be tough. Yes, it isn’t the same as before, and that’s difficult to get used to in many respects. Still, there is enough technology available that your hearing can be restored to its former glory.
Modern hearing aids, for instance, will automatically adjust to the pitch and volume of speech to ensure you receive the best possible interpretation of what people are saying. For this to happen, it’s essential to speak to an audiologist. An experienced individual can explain more about hearing aid devices and give you advice on how to cope with hearing loss.
Our audiologist services at Albuquerque Hearing and Balance are only a call away. Pick up the phone and dial (505) 750-9569 to find out more about how we can make the process less stressful.