How Does Hearing Loss Impact your Life?

If you have recently been diagnosed with hearing loss or you are concerned that this may be the outcome, you may be feeling a bit worried about how hearing loss is going to impact your life. As any audiologist will tell you, hearing loss does not have to be as detrimental to your life as once was the case. This is because technology has advanced considerably and there are now so many different types of hearing aids that are available today to ensure that your life is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible. With that being said, we are going to take a look at the different ways that hearing loss can impact your life. 

The impact of hearing loss depends on the extent of the damage

The impact that hearing loss has on your life can depend on the extent of the hearing loss. For example, complete hearing loss is evidently going to have a bigger impact on someone’s life than mild hearing loss. There are a number of different ways that hearing loss can impact your work life and personal life. A lot of people can experience a drop in confidence and self-esteem, which can result in emotional problems. Some people also find that they withdraw socially because they find it more challenging to communicate with people. In terms of work, people may notice a reduced number of jobs that are available to them because of their inability to communicate effectively.

This can seem like your life is over, but it definitely does not need to be this way! First and foremost, this highlights why it is important to make sure you get your ears checked regularly by an audiologist. This is important because any signs of hearing loss can be picked up on at the earliest opportunity, enabling you to get the right help before your hearing loss gets worse and more severe.

Secondly, it also shows why it is imperative to get the right professional assistance if you do have hearing loss. This is because technology has advanced considerably and there are now many different types of hearing devices that are available on the market today. This means that you should be able to find the right device for you. An audiologist will be able to fit this device so that you can hear as effectively as possible, ensuring your hearing loss does not hold you back.

Communication tips if you have hearing loss

There are a number of tips you can follow if you have hearing loss and you are communicating with someone else. These tips are designed to make you feel more comfortable and to ensure that communication is easier for you. This includes the following:

• Don’t be afraid to tell people about your hearing loss
• Suggest rephrasing the information
• Ask questions about anything you have missed
• Advised people to get your attention first and to face you when they are speaking with you.
• Encourage people you are communicating with to speak slowly, speak up and face you.
• Ask people to speak clearly 

Speaking to someone who has hearing loss

If you are speaking to someone who has hearing loss, it is important to make sure you consider this when you communicate with them, yet at the same time, it is imperative to ensure that you do not come across as patronizing in any way. Some tips to follow include:

• Use pen and paper when necessary 
• Speak expressively, using body, hand and face movements.
• If necessary, raise your voice, but do not shout
• Speak slower than you usually would
• Have a light on your face and make sure your mouth is not covered when you talk.
• Stand close to the person and face them when you speak
• Make sure you have the person’s attention when you are talking

Contact Gavin Audiology today if you want more information about hearing loss

If you would like to find out more about Gavin Audiology and Hearing Aids and the service that we provide, all you need to do is give us a call today for more information at (914) 610-3440. We would be more than happy to answer any of the queries you have about hearing loss and how it impacts your life. Hearing loss does not have to be as detrimental to a person’s life as it was once, as there are many different progressions that have happened in technology in recent years, so give us a call today to find out more about this.