How to stay socially active and feel better about hearing loss?
Have you noticed that you have stopped certain activities due to your hearing loss? Do you feel isolated from others? Do you feel like you are no longer the same as you used to be? Less committed? Less active? More homebody?
Research has shown an association between untreated hearing loss, social isolation, loneliness and depression. Indeed, decreased hearing has important implications for the cognitive and psychosocial health of people with hearing loss.
Communication difficulties can lead to social isolation
Communication difficulties can lead to social isolation and the desire to stay home instead of seeing people or going out due to several reasons:
- Experiencing significant difficulties understanding speech in a group setting or in the presence of ambient noise.
- Feeling that we are not able to fully participate in previously enjoyable activities (e.g. social gatherings, concerts, sports, etc.).
- Having difficulties making new contacts and/or maintaining friendly relationships (frustrations for the hearing-impaired person and their loved ones, if they are often asked to repeat for example).
- Feeling stress or exhaustion due to the significant mental effort required to effectively communicate in an activity.
What are the long-term effects of social isolation on our lives?
Untreated hearing loss and social isolation can impact health and contribute to poorer quality of life. Here are some examples:
- Increased risk of premature death, all causes combined.
- Higher risk of depression, anxiety and suicide.
- Increased risk of dementia by approximately 50%.
- At work: 68% of people with hearing loss feel isolated because of their hearing impairment and 41% have taken early retirement because of the impact of hearing loss on their work.
What impact do hearing aids have on countering social isolation and improving our mood?
By wearing hearing aids and hearing better, people with hearing loss can communicate effectively and increase their participation in social activities.
The use of hearing aids reduces the risk of psychological distress in adults with hearing loss. In fact, some studies have shown a reduction in depressive symptoms in just 3 months after using a hearing aid.
If you have any doubts about your hearing or that of a loved one, do not hesitate to consult an audiologist who can carry out a hearing assessment and guide you towards a more active and joyful life!