Hearing loss is a health problem that a lot of people have to tackle when they’re older but people don’t often realize just how difficult it is. Turning the TV up a bit louder or struggling to hear people in crowded rooms don’t seem like they’re massive problems but when you consider the implications of hearing loss, it’s a much bigger problem than most people think it is. These are the real world consequences of hearing loss that you might not have considered before.
Social Isolation
This is something that people never really consider but people with hearing loss can really struggle to maintain good relationships and get involved in social situations. In a large group setting where there are a lot of people talking at once, it’s very difficult for people with hearing problems to follow the conversation. That means that they inevitably won’t be able to participate in those conversations and they’ll struggle to maintain good relationships with their friends.
People might also struggle to deal with a person with hearing loss if they don’t really understand the issue. They could end up getting frustrated with having to talk slowly or more loudly every time they’re having a conversation with that person. It doesn’t sound very nice but it’s usually because of a lack of understanding. Educating people about hearing loss can help here but sometimes, it still causes problems.
These social issues can lead a person with hearing loss to become incredibly lonely. But a lot of people with hearing problems will tell you that getting hearing aids can really change their quality of life. Being able to maintain good personal relationships is so important and hearing loss can really make that difficult.
Stress
Recent studies show that stress is a big problem that can cause so many health issues. There are all sorts of things that cause stress and it’s a recurring problem for a lot of people. For people with hearing loss, it’s a big issue. Not being able to hear very well makes almost every situation more difficult which massively increases stress levels. Increased stress levels can lead to a whole host of health problems so having issues with your hearing could end up damaging your health in all sorts of other ways.
Personal Safety
Most people take their hearing for granted and don’t realize how much of an impact it has on their personal safety. Simple things like crossing roads are more dangerous if you can’t hear very well. Not being able to hear things like car horns or smoke alarms as easily massively increases the risk of injury.
Job Performance
It might not be a fair situation but some employers may treat you differently if you have hearing issues in the workplace. They might not understand why a person can’t follow a conversation or might miss out on certain instructions. That means they might just think that you’re not performing well and you could end up missing out on promotions.
Hearing loss is about more than just having to ask people to speak louder sometimes, it can have massive consequences so you should always look after your ears and get checked if you think you’ve got a problem.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
