How does treating hearing loss help with stress?

By Hoglund Family Hearing and Audiology Services

The intensive listening effort demanded by untreated hearing loss can be extremely stressful. Experts believe that even if you have just a mild hearing loss that is not being treated, cognitive load increases significantly. This can make people up to five times more likely to have memory problems than people who have successfully corrected their hearing problems, according to research at Johns Hopkins University.

Research also shows that when left unaddressed, hearing loss is frequently associated with other physical, mental, and emotional health issues that diminish quality of life. Withdrawal from social situations, a lessened ability to cope, and reduced overall psychological health are just some of the conditions associated with unaddressed hearing loss. Often, people with untreated hearing loss feel angry, frustrated, anxious, isolated, and depressed.

“One thing people don’t realize”, states John Hoglund BC-HIS, ACA from Audiology Centers of Hoglund Family Hearing, “is that when the hearing-impaired patient misses something the first time, it is very common for people to raise their voice or even shout when they repeat it. We find that it is virtually impossible however, to talk loudly and smile at the same time because the muscles work differently. So it appears that everyone yelling at them is angry and often this shouting is met with shouting back and hostility including the phrase… you don’t have to yell at me!” “The other thing that is common is a patient will miss something and then shortly after missed something again and the family member this gets disgusted and says never mind! Either one of these episodes causes stress that just doesn’t need to be there! It is remarkable how many people tell me that once the hearing problem is solved it has taken stress out of both family members life and often children report better relations with their parents once this barrier to communication has been lifted!”

A 2014 study, in fact, showed that hearing loss is associated with an increased risk of depression in adults of all ages, but is most pronounced in 18 to 69 year olds.  Another study, conducted in Italy, looked at working adults—35 to 55 years of age—with untreated mild to moderate age-related hearing loss and found that they were more prone to depression, anxiety, and interpersonal sensitivity than those with no hearing problems.

The good news is that for the vast majority of people with hearing loss, hearing aids can help. In fact, research shows that most people with hearing loss who use hearing aids see improvements in their ability to communicate effectively in most situations. When people with hearing loss use hearing aids, their mental health often rallies and depressive symptoms are often reduced. Many people regain emotional stability; have an easier time joining in groups and become more socially engaged; experience a greater sense of safety and independence; feel more in control of their lives; and see a general improvement in their overall quality of life. Many even report improvements in their relationships at home and at work. The majority of hearing aid users say they’re satisfied with the changes that have occurred in their lives due to their hearing aids, according to a report from The Better Hearing Institute in Washington D.C., and many say they feel better about themselves and life overall as a result.

Getting a hearing test and using professionally fitted hearing aids—when recommended by a hearing healthcare professional—is an important way for people with hearing loss to ease the stress associated with intensive listening and to safeguard their mental health and quality of life. Audiology Centers of Hoglund Family Hearing, offer FREE HEARING TESTS to those who would like to find out more about their current hearing status. There is NO COST OR OBLIGATION for this valuable information! CALL (239) 498-7142 to Schedule your Complimentary Hearing Assessment at any of our four clinics!

Talking on the phone is often difficult, because you don’t get any visual clues over the phone so often there is even more instances of asking people to repeat themselves. We are licensed by the state of Florida to provide telephones to the hearing impaired completely free of charge through several different agencies if it would be beneficial to the Patient

All that is required is a hearing test and we have always done those completely free of charge at Audiology Centers of Hoglund Family Hearing, Please CALL (239) 498-7142   today if you are struggling over the telephone and we will either get you an amplified phone or a phone where you can actually read the dialogue as your friends and family are talking to you!

Hoglund Family Hearing And Audiology Center
Fifteen 8th Street (Next to Royal Scoop Ice Cream)
Bonita Springs, FL 31434
(239) 498-7142

Southwest Florida Tinnitus And Hearing Center
10020 Coconut Rd. Ste.120 (Next to LabCorp)
Estero, FL 34135
(239) 992-HEAR (4327)

Hoglund Family Hearing And Audiology Center
88 Pine Island Road, Suite 3 (Inside Tucker Vision Center)
North Fort Myers, FL 33903
(239) 652-4327

AUDIOLOGY CENTERS OF HOGLUND FAMILY HEARING
13710 Metropolis Ave.Suite 101
(1 block East of Gulf Coast Hospital)
Fort Myers, Fl. 33912
(239) 498-4240