While a vast majority of Americans list their hearing health as being important, only 20% have had a hearing test within the past five years. If you find yourself in that camp, consider how many times in the past five years you’ve had your vision checked. For most of us, we have our eyes examined much more regularly.
The widespread neglect of our hearing health isn’t something you can attribute to laziness or unconcern. Rather, there seems to be a cultural hesitation toward attending to our hearing heath. But, we can change that any day by scheduling a simple hearing test. The ramifications of undiagnosed and untreated hearing loss are many, but one in particular is a loss of connection with our loved ones and in our most important relationships.
May is all about Building Connections
The loss of connection that comes with hearing loss is so predominant that the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) has organized their annual awareness campaign around the theme of “Building Connections”. Each May, ASHA sponsors Better Hearing and Speech Month to raise awareness around speech and communication disorders. This year, the group has chosen to focus on the ways that communication disorder adversely impacts our ability to connect with others. Once we bring awareness to the problem, we can begin to address it.
By highlighting communication and connection issues that come with hearing loss, we can take the steps necessary to intervene. Confronting and treating hearing loss in ourselves or loved ones is one way we can reclaim our connections. If you’d like more information on Better Hearing and Speech Month, visit asha.org to find a wealth of helpful resources.
Hearing loss can be isolating
It goes without saying that connection is an essential part of human life. After all, fundamentally, we are pack animals with a drive for inclusion and interaction with others. With hearing loss, and other communication disorders, the means for connection can become difficult.
People with hearing loss often report that verbal interaction is exhausting. It’s only natural that we avoid difficult or tiring activities, and so those folks can find themselves socially isolated. Even within a home or marriage, people with hearing loss avoid conversation and might seem withdrawn. Those experiencing a decline in hearing health might avoid parties or social interactions that previously strengthened or sparked connection with others.
Avoiding change
To add onto the isolation that people with difficulty hearing often experience, there can sometimes be a refusal to confront their hearing loss at all. This comes from so many factors, but might include embarrassment or a resistance to the change that will ultimately be necessary once they have a confirmed diagnosis.
It’s important to remember that though denial is a common reaction to news we don’t wish to to be true, it’s not a particularly useful place to stay.
Treating hearing loss
Many people with hearing loss who have chosen to treat their condition with hearing aids have highly successful relationship outcomes. A 2017 WebMD Healthcare Professional and Hearing Aid Wearer study found that 70% of folks with hearing aids reported improvements in their closest relationships. Rather than accept lost levels of hearing as a part of the natural aging process, it is possible to regain ease in hearing and verbal interactions.
When conversations and social events are less intimidating, you might find your social calendar filling up again. Even if treating hearing loss through hearing aids isn’t right for you, a confirmed diagnosis of your hearing health can help. With the right information, you can begin to find tools that will ease your experience in the world, even with a decline from your previous levels of hearing. There are support groups who can help you emotionally adjust to your new reality. Many people find ways to thrive, despite hearing loss, and lead full and vibrant lives.
Schedule a hearing test today
You don’t have to settle for subpar hearing health. We help people find their best hearing experience every day. Schedule a hearing test with us and begin the exploration of your hearing future.