Living With Hearing Loss? Follow These 10 Tips

Losing one of your primary senses can be incredibly overwhelming. Whether gradual or instant, learning to navigate the changes is challenging, and you may not feel comfortable sharing your condition with others.

The most important thing to do is to seek the necessary treatment early. From here, you can begin to alter the way you communicate with others.

Below we are going to talk about ten tips that you can follow to help you through the process of hearing loss.

Want to learn more? Then let’s get started.

Determine your diagnosis.

One of the first steps to take if you are struggling to hear is to visit your GP or audiologist. There are many different types of hearing loss, and you’ll have to determine what is causing your discomfort.

For instance, some conditions can require hearing aids. However, if your ears are blocked with wax, you may only need a simple extraction.

A lot of the time, you may not even be aware you have an issue. Regular check-ups can diagnose the problem before it becomes even more severe.

Inform your loved ones.

It’s normal to neglect to tell anybody about your hearing loss at first, especially if you don’t want them to worry. However, there will come a time when you need to inform your loved ones.

This won’t just ensure that you can take part in conversations socially, but they can help you access the proper support. It may be challenging, but a huge weight will be lifted from your shoulders. You don’t have to go through this alone.

Find reliable support groups.

Alongside your family and friends, there are also many support groups that may be worth looking into. Of course, it’s up to you whether you want to interact, but it can be comforting to find others going through a similar experience.

A few you may want to check out include:

– DeafandHoH Forum

– AG Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

– Hearing Loss Association of America

– r/HardOfHearing

Maintain your hearing aids.

Your hearing aids can be a significant life changer when struggling with hearing loss. However, after you receive them, it’s important that you keep them in good condition. Like everything, they require regular care.

Ensure they are clean using the appropriate methods, store them in a safe space and don’t forget to schedule professional maintenance too. This will keep them working well, and you’ll know precisely when you are due for an upgrade.

Make adaptions to your home.

You won’t be wearing an aid all the time, so it’s also vital that you make the necessary adaptions to your home. For example, you might look at investing in a doorbell that can be connected to a flashing light or vibrating pager.

A few other things that you may want to research further include:

– Alarm clocks.

– Security systems.

– Smoke/carbon monoxide alarms.

Remember, what you will require depends on your specific situation. Your condition may not be severe enough to require extensive changes, and it won’t be worth spending the money.

Alter your communication habits.

One of the main things you have to focus on with hearing loss is altering your communication habits. For example, you’ll need to change the way you speak with others in order to hear (or be heard).

Remind friends and family to speak clearly and slowly. You also want them to avoid yelling out from other rooms and to talk with you face-to-face rather than behind your back. It can take some getting used to, especially for your loved ones, but it will become a new habit.

You should never feel guilty about asking someone to explain a situation again. They will soon learn how to keep you included in the conversation; it just takes time.

Pick environments carefully.

You are probably already aware that specific environments can make it more difficult when you have hearing loss, even with aids. So, if you plan on heading out with friends, or having a meeting, pay careful attention to the location.

Choosing a less popular café or a cozy spot outside and away from busy streets might be better. This way, you’ll be able to communicate much more quickly and won’t be so anxious about misunderstandings.

Observe your mental health.

While you might be concerned about your physical state, it’s also vital that you monitor your mental health too. It’s common to feel isolated, anxious, and even depressed after losing your hearing.

If you don’t feel your best or are noticing the signs, reach out to your GP for support. They will be able to offer advice so that you can overcome your fears. In some cases, medication may also prove beneficial.

Get regular check-ups.

Your hearing requires frequent attention, not just one or two appointments. If you have been diagnosed with loss, it’s essential to get regular check-ups to determine if it is becoming worse.

Your audiologist should recommend a schedule depending on your situation. For those 18-50 without concerns, it’s recommended to have a visit every three-five years. However, this can be more consistent if you notice issues.

Embrace the new you.

Finally, while it can be challenging to adjust yourself at first, remember that you are still the same person and can achieve anything you put your mind to. A change such as this doesn’t define who you are.

Embrace the new you and take slow steps to put yourself out there. Before long, you’ll be able to enjoy all of your favorite activities again and will feel much more confident. There is always light at the end of the tunnel.

Final words.

And that’s it. These were ten tips to help you live with hearing loss. So, while it can seem daunting, it is entirely possible to get through this. With a few adjustments and support from your doctors and loved ones, you’ll be able to continue living your very best life.

Good luck!