Don’t Let Your Social Life Suffer Because You Can’t Hear!

Warmer weather and summer on the horizon often boost social engagement. Additionally, this particular year with more people becoming vaccinated, people will be reuniting with friends and family.  

With much of social life on pause over the past year, many are looking forward to reconnecting and spending time with others. Being able to completely enjoy this time is incredibly important. Treating hearing loss provides the critical support needed to maximize hearing which supports people fully participating in and enjoying their social life. 

Hearing Loss Symptoms & Impact 

It is important to recognize hearing loss symptoms and intervene to address those symptoms as early as possible. Early intervention can significantly help the transition into better hearing with greater ease. Hearing loss results in a reduced ability to absorb and process sound which produces numerous symptoms including the following: 

• Tinnitus: a buzzing, ringing, clicking like noise in one or both ears 

• Sound is slurred or muffled making it difficult to identify individual words

• Increasing the volume on electronic devices like TV, smartphone, speaker etc. 

• Regularly asking others to speak loudly, slowly, and/or repeat themselves

• Difficulty hearing in environments with background noise, and in conversations with multiple people

• Needing to move to a quieter area to have a conversation 

• Being able to hear more clearly in one ear compared to the other 

These symptoms can be mild to severe, disrupting daily life. Hearing loss often interferes with a person’s capacity to manage personal and professional responsibilities by:

• Straining communication:

  Symptoms create barriers for effective communication. Having and following conversations becomes difficult when you cannot hear clearly. People with untreated hearing loss often use coping strategies like pretending to hear, reading lips, asking others to repeat the sentence etc. This can be exhausting and create unpleasant interactions. 

• Leading to social withdrawal:

  Strained communication and the kind of fatigue it produces often leads to social withdrawal. People may want to avoid this kind of interaction altogether because it requires extra work and energy. This means spending less time with others which can take a toll on relationships by creating distance and tension. Social withdrawal also impacts mental health by contributing to isolation, loneliness, anxiety etc. 

In addition to these major risks of untreated hearing loss, it can also impact health outcomes. Untreated hearing loss increases the risk of developing other conditions including cognitive decline, experiencing accidental injuries, and depression. The best way to alleviate symptoms and associated risks is to address and treat hearing loss with a hearing healthcare specialist. 

Impact of Masks on Communication 

Another challenge to an active social life for people with hearing loss is masks. Though necessary protection, masks present unique challenges for people who have a more challenging time hearing. A few challenges include: 

• Covers Mouth:

  The most obvious challenge to communication is that a mask covers the entire mouth. This blocks visibility of the mouth which prevents people from being able to access useful visual cues like lip reading. This is a useful way people, especially who have impaired hearing, follow a conversation. 

• Muffles Sound:

  Wearing masks also restricts the movement of the mouth which impacts sound. The fabric over the mouth prevents the mouth from fully moving the way it typically would to annunciate words. This can muffle sound, making it unclear and hard to hear. 

The combination of untreated hearing loss symptoms and the impact of masks on daily communication can drastically limit one’s ability to engage with others. But as we approach this exciting time of increased vaccinations and reuniting with others, you can take part by treating your hearing loss. 

Treating Hearing Loss with Hart Hearing and Balance Centers

The first step in addressing hearing loss is scheduling an appointment for a hearing test. Conducted by our audiologists, hearing tests involve a noninvasive process that measures hearing ability in both ears. This process identifies any impairment and the degree of hearing loss you could be experiencing. 

Once your hearing needs are established, we are able to determine the most effective treatment option to successfully meet those needs. The most common treatment for hearing loss is hearing aids which provide ample sound support, maximizing hearing capacity! 

If you’re ready to experience the benefits of hearing loss treatment, contact us at Hart Hearing and Balance Centers today!