If you’re not hearing as well as you used to, it can be hard to come to terms with your hearing loss. You’re no longer experiencing the world around you in the same way, and this can be scary. When you first realize you have a hearing loss, it’s completely normal to feel a number of emotions. You will need to take some time to process these feelings and come to terms with your hearing loss.
Denial
For many people, when they realize they have hearing loss denial is the first emotion they experience. Hearing loss is a gradual process, and you may not notice the day to day changes in your hearing health. You don’t notice that you can’t hear the birds chirping, and you are in denial about the times you’ve slept through the alarm clock. You tell yourself your hearing isn’t that bad yet, or that your hearing loss is nothing to worry about.
Take a moment to think about the sounds you hear. When was the last time you heard the beep of the stove alarm, or heard the ticking of the turning signal in the car? People in denial often blame others for their hearing loss. You may think people around you are mumbling, or that everyone is just talking too softly.
Anger
Another common response to finding out you have hearing loss is anger. You may feel upset about all the extra appointments and tests you will need in order to look after your hearing health. You may be angry about the money you’ll need to invest in hearing aids, and the time you will have to spend maintaining your devices.
It’s also common to feel angry and frustrated with family members who keep asking you to turn the volume down, or keep asking you to schedule your first hearing test. When talking with your family, remember that your hearing loss affects them too. They miss being able to have a conversation with you, and they may be angry that you’re not treating your hearing loss.
Depression
Many people feel sadness or even depression when they’re coming to terms with their hearing loss. Living with untreated hearing loss can make it difficult to connect with family and friends. Conversations become a source of anxiety, and it can seem easier to avoid the conversation altogether rather than asking people to repeat themselves over and over again. Social situations become stressful and exhausting, so you may choose to stay home or avoid being social. This leads to feelings of isolation, loneliness, and even depression.
Not only that, but any kind of loss leads to sadness. Hearing loss is also a loss, and you may need to take some time to come to terms with the changes in your hearing health. Some people report feeling a loss of identity as they realize how many sounds they’re missing.
Coming to Terms with Your Hearing Loss
After you’ve confronted your feelings of denial, anger, and depression, you can work towards accepting your hearing loss. This means accepting the fact that you have hearing loss, and that you’re ready to seek treatment. At Los Gatos Audiology, we’re here to help you work through these emotions, and find your way through to accepting your hearing loss.
Treating Your Hearing Loss
Once you’ve come to terms with your hearing loss, we hope you’ll choose to treat your hearing loss. The first step is to get a hearing test and find out exactly what kind of hearing loss you have. Sometimes hearing loss can be caused by a buildup of earwax in the ear canal, or a medical condition such as an ear infection.
Treating hearing loss with hearing aids will help you hear all the sounds around you. Hearing aids let you hear conversations, and reconnect with loved ones. Treating your hearing loss will improve your quality of life, repair your relationships, and bring you a greater sense of happiness. Hearing devices will also reduce your stress, keep you socially active, and even lower your risk of dementia. We have a range of hearing aids to suit every lifestyle, and we’ll help you find the perfect hearing aids to treat your hearing loss.