The Unseen Cause of Isolation Among Adults

Woman at the window looking out and feeling isolated from untreated hearing loss.

The chances of having to cope with hearing loss goes up as we age. Millions are coping with some amount of hearing loss. But typically, seven years or more go by after the first symptoms show up before individuals get assistance.

Many older adults choose to dismiss their hearing loss, which can negatively affect their social lives. Withdrawing from social situations because it’s difficult to communicate and regularly asking people to repeat what they said are common warning signs.

Obviously, hearing is crucial. We’re empowered by our ability to hear. With it, we can go out with friends, go to work, and communicate with those we care about. It also helps us stay involved in the outside world and keeps us safe. Even your ability to relax is affected by your hearing. Unfortunately, we frequently take it for granted that we’ll always be able to hear.

So when your hearing diminishes, and if you’re like most individuals, it will, you’ll feel it physically and emotionally. Your overall quality of life will be effected. Hearing loss can even bring on feelings of separation.

For these reasons, it’s essential to recognize the early symptoms of hearing loss so prospective treatment solutions can be explored. Most types of hearing loss, thankfully, can be managed. If you’re suffering from hearing loss and are distressed about missing important conversations, you should contact a hearing specialist in your area immediately. These experts will help determine your level of hearing loss, and also whether your hearing, and general health, would benefit from wearing hearing aids.

Studies show that wearing a hearing aid can, for those suffering from age-related hearing loss, help lower the chances of social isolation by making communication in social situations easier. Hearing aids make it easier for older adults to maintain their regular activities and socially interact with friends, family members, and the other people with whom they communicate each day.

According to studies conducted at Johns Hopkins University, hearing loss has been associated with numerous health problems from mental sharpness, loss of memory, depression, as well as a greater risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Treating hearing conditions helps to avoid these health concerns.

Personal relationships, particularly with family and friends, rely heavily on communication. Hearing loss can lead to miscommunication, frustration, and ill will between family and friends.

Hearing loss also presents safety challenges. Using hearing aids will give you confidence that you will be able to respond to essential sounds and alerts that occur in your everyday life, including sirens, alarms, cell phones, oven timers, doorbells, car alarms, and horns, and other traffic sounds that indicate approaching traffic.

If you have errors at work and lose details it can have a major impact on your income but wearing hearing aids can help you conquer these issues.

It’s crucial that the person with hearing loss take the initiative and schedule a hearing exam, but family members can also be really helpful. If you are troubled with hearing loss, you need to take hearing a exam and commit to treatment (like wearing hearing aids routinely), so you can once again hear all the sounds and conversations that are important in your day-to-day life. Understanding that you are not on your own can be very uplifting. You can avoid feeling isolated and get back to socializing with your loved ones with a little assistance from a hearing specialist, hearing aids, and your family and friends.

The site information is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. To receive personalized advice or treatment, schedule an appointment.