Thursday 20 November 2014

Don’t allow hearing loss to isolate you this holiday season!


The holiday season is well and truly here! For most of us, December is full of parties, catching up with family and friends and lots of Christmas shopping.

For those with untreated hearing loss, however, the festive season can be full of loud and daunting situations. When you feel like you can’t contribute to a conversation or understand what is being said, social occasions become intimidating and stressful, and isolation is often the result. The festive season can be a particularly lonely time for those who haven’t yet sought treatment for declining hearing.

It takes an average of five to ten years for people in the UK with a recognised hearing loss to decide to get a hearing aid. This long delay can be due to a number of factors: many don’t realise how bad their hearing has become, while others are concerned with a perceived stigma surrounding hearing aids. Some simply can’t afford to invest in hearing aids, whilst others tell themselves, “I’ll do something about my hearing loss when it gets really bad.”

Untreated hearing loss can lead to isolation for a number of reasons. One might start declining social invitations because they are too embarrassed to constantly ask people to repeat themselves. Even going to dinner with family members can be isolating, as it’s often hard for people with hearing loss to hear anything over background noise. This can be frustrating and depressing, so eventually it’s easier to just say ‘no thanks’ to invitations.

Making phone calls or answering the phone when it rings can also be difficult for those with untreated hearing loss. Talking on the phone can be much more difficult than having a face-to-face conversation, as there is the added difficulty of not being able to lip-read. Gradually, phone calls go unanswered and messages are not returned.

These combined issues can lead to loneliness and largely unnecessary isolation.

What can you do to reduce isolation this Christmas?

If you are experiencing isolation due to hearing loss, do not wait for another holiday season to pass you by. It is important to get out there and have fun! This time of year is full of joyful celebrations and events and you should be able to take part.

Hearing aids are amazing devices that can improve your quality of life dramatically.
Book an appointment with your local audiologist to have a hearing test and discuss your options. It might be that a set of hearing aids could dramatically increase the fun you will have this year!

For more information on hearing loss, visit www.hearingcarecentre.co.uk