The Hidden Cause of Solitude Among Adults

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

The probability of having to deal with hearing loss increase as we grow older. Millions are managing some amount of hearing loss. But often, seven or more years go by after the first symptoms appear before people get help.

Many older adult’s social life is negatively effected by neglected hearing loss. Warning signs include frequently asking people around you to repeat what they said more slowly and loudly, as well as retreating from social circumstances because they find it challenging to communicate successfully.

You recognize your hearing is important.

We’re empowered by our ability to hear. With it, we can hang out with friends, go to work, and communicate with those we care about. It also keeps us safe and in tune with the outside world. Even your ability to relax is affected by your hearing. Regrettably, we frequently take it for granted that we’ll always have strong hearing.

The majority of you will get to a point in your lives when your hearing starts to decline and it will have a physical and emotional impact on you. Your overall quality of life will be impacted. Solitude is also a big risk with hearing loss

For these reasons, it’s important to acknowledge the early symptoms of hearing loss so potential treatment solutions can be considered. The good news is, most kinds of hearing loss are treatable. If you are experiencing hearing loss and are frustrated about missing important conversations, you should get in touch with a hearing professional in your area immediately. Doing so will help you decide if your type and degree of hearing loss can be effectively managed with hearing aids.

Studies show that using a hearing aid can, for people dealing with age-related hearing loss, help reduce the chances of social isolation by making communication in social situations easier. Connecting with friends, family, and co-workers becomes much easier for adults with hearing loss when they wear hearing aids.

Mental health issues including memory loss, depression, failing mental cognition, and even the occurrence of Alzheimer’s have been connected to hearing loss in studies done by Johns Hopkins University. Managing hearing conditions helps to prevent these health problems.

Personal relationships, particularly with family and friends, rely heavily on communication. Frustration and miscommunication between friends and family are often the result of hearing loss.

Safety is also a concern for individuals afflicted with hearing loss. Wearing hearing aids will give you confidence that you will be capable of responding to essential sounds and warnings that happen in your daily life, including alarms, sirens, cell phones, doorbells, oven timers, car alarms, and horns, and other traffic sounds that identify on-coming traffic.

If you make mistakes at work and miss details it can have a significant impact on your wages but wearing hearing aids can help you overcome these issues.

Family members can be helpful to an older adult with hearing impairment, but it’s also crucial that the person with hearing loss takes the first step. If you are experiencing hearing loss, you need to get hearing a exam and commit to treatment (like wearing hearing aids routinely), so you can go back to hearing all the sounds and conversations that are important in your daily life. Ultimately, it’s important to know that you aren’t alone. You can avoid feeling isolated and return to socializing with your loved ones with a little help from a hearing specialist, hearing aids, and your friends and family.

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.