Hearing loss is more than just a nuisance. It can impact your life in many ways, and not always in the ways you might think. Hearing loss affects cognitive function, quality of life and social relationships. Read this article to learn how hearing loss impacts your life in different aspects!
How Does Hearing Loss Impact Your Professional Life?
In many cases, a hearing loss can prevent you from doing your job as well as possible. This means that it could impact your ability to complete tasks and communicate effectively with coworkers or clients. It also limits career prospects by limiting the types of jobs available to someone who self-reports a hearing impairment.
A recent published study found that those who reported auditory processing issues were less likely to be employed full-time compared with people without such impairments. In addition, adults aged 50 years and older were 12% more likely to not have been employed for at least one month within the last year if they had an auditory processing disorder (APD).
How Does Hearing Loss Impact Your Personal Life?
Hearing loss can affect communication in your personal life, too. For example, suppose you cannot hear well with or without hearing aids. In that case, it may be difficult to participate fully in activities like watching TV together as a family or having group conversations at home.
While no two people will experience the same effects of hearing loss on relationships, some find that they are more isolated because of their struggle to communicate effectively over long distances. Hearing loss also puts undue stress on young children who have difficulty communicating if parents don’t understand what they’re saying.
In terms of social skills, older adults tend to rate themselves less favorably than do younger peers when asked about their ability to get along with others and stay positive during stressful situations. This is due in part to changes in neuroplasticity that affect hearing, decision making and planning in older adults. Hearing loss also puts extra stress on the family members of people with a hearing impairment.
For many, the hardest part is when loved ones are frustrated by their own limitations because they can’t communicate well enough to provide help or support. In addition, while statistics indicate that there has been an increase in individuals over age 65 living alone, families do not always have access to appropriate resources due to a lack of awareness about audiology services.
How to Lessen the Effect Your Hearing Loss Has on Your Life?
Hearing loss is a broad, encompassing term for a wide range of conditions. However, there are many ways to lessen the effect your hearing loss has on different areas of your life. For example, suppose you have difficulty with social connections due to hearing impairment. In that case, it may be helpful to join support groups online or through local organizations that can help you feel less isolated. In addition, some people find relief from their symptoms by using assistive listening devices such as captioning services and FM systems.
Using hearing aids can improve communication with family members and reduce the stress they feel about not being able to help or understand what you’re going through. In addition, hearing aids can make a big difference in professional relationships by improving the clarity of voice and reducing background noise. If you have concerns related to your ability to work effectively due to hearing loss, discuss it with your employer.
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that employers provide reasonable accommodations for employees who need them to perform their jobs successfully. Remember that many people experience these symptoms every day without difficulty, so do not let yourself get discouraged if challenges arise from time to time.
Different Types of Hearing Loss?
There are a variety of different types, but the most common include sensorineural, conductive and mixed. Sensorineural refers to damage to inner ear structures which can affect your ability to hear. Conductive refers to problems in middle-ear components such as ossicles that prevent sound from being transmitted effectively. Mixed hearing loss is when both conditions exist simultaneously. While there isn’t an exact cure for all forms of auditory issues, many people find relief through using assistive devices like hearing aids or cochlear implants.
For more information regarding hearing loss and what your options are, feel free to contact us at (888) 618-3778 and Beck Hearing Aid Center will be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you achieve the highest quality of life possible!