Communication is essential to maintaining any relationship from casual acquaintances, the people you pass on your way to work or your most intimate partnerships. It is just so important to hear and be heard. When you can voice your needs and intentions and listen to others relationships can prosper and grow to new heights. When you are living with untreated hearing loss miscommunication can become a common day occurrence. This sadly can lead to conflict and your closest relationships are not immune to this. Currently is estimated that hearing loss is the third most common medical condition in the United States, affecting 48 million Americans. In many cases it is not that people can’t hear what is being said but that it becomes increasingly hard to comprehend.
Speech Recognition and Hearing Loss
Speech recognition becomes a challenge as hearing loss progresses. Often consonants like “p” and “b” or “th” and “s.” are the first to go. Sometimes it is certain pitches or tones that become harder to decipher. When you struggle to piece together what is being said your brain has to work overtime to figure out what is being communicated. This can add to extreme fatigue as you are working harder than before to understand a simple everyday conversation.
Struggling with speech recognition may create rifts in interpersonal relationships, as it is often one of the first ways that a hearing loss presents itself as a problem. If you are finding yourself constantly having to ask people to repeat themselves then it is time to schedule a hearing test. Over time, constantly asking for repetition may lead to annoyance and frustration making it easier to withdraw from conversation unless it is completely needed. This is one way that hearing loss often leads to social anxiety and social isolation. When you are constantly dealing with miscommunication between friends, coworkers and loved ones it becomes tempting to not engage at all causing loneliness and despair. Over time, people with untreated hearing loss begin to isolate themselves and stop pursing their passions and joys that make life rich and engaging.
Hearing Loss Between Loved Ones
It is unfortunate but true that only one in four individuals with hearing loss wear hearing aids. This means that there are three quarters of people living with untreated hearing loss and missing out on some of the most valuable parts of their life. In fact it is said that the relationships that make up a lifetime are a priceless and essential part of a person’s wellbeing. A recent study showed 44 percent of people over 55-year-olds living with hearing loss admitted that their romantic relationship suffered from untreated hearing loss. When hearing aids were utilized about 53 percent reported a positive impact on their relationships. When people start wearing hearing aids they are suddenly able to communicate with more ease making it easier to attend social events and making social interactions a thing of pleasure instead of anxiety producing.
Hearing Loss at Work
In the work place untreated hearing loss can have devastating consequences. When you struggle to hear at a meetings and miss important information to carry out a job it can lead to supervisors and co-workers to rely on you less causing management to give lucrative opportunities to others. Even the casual conversation that builds relationships daily at work contribute to co-workers that include you and find you a valuable asset in the workplace. Fortunately if you can isolate the problem and treat your hearing loss you can avoid the potential loss of earning that comes when you struggle to hear.
Don’t Build Resentment, Seek Treatment!
As hearing loss occurs gradually over time, frustration between family members and loved ones can build up causing major rifts. Living in denial of a hearing loss can put our most precious relationships at seriously unneeded risk. The sooner that you treat your hearing loss the sooner you can start to rebuild your relationships at home, in social settings and at work. Recognizing and admitting a hearing loss can be the most valuable thing you could do today in ensuring an improved relationships. Take the leap towards a better life today with hearing aids and get back to the people and activities you love the most.