It is a well-known fact that hearing loss can significantly impact your quality of life. It affects more than just the ability to communicate but also impacts the safety and general wellness. From difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments to not hearing warning sounds, it’s easy for someone with hearing loss to become isolated and disconnected from the world around them. This article explores how you might feel anxious when experiencing these symptoms.

Hearing Loss and Anxiety

When you can’t hear properly, it’s easy to feel anxious and insecure. You may find that you’re constantly second-guessing yourself and feeling like you can’t do things the way you used to. This is especially true if your hearing loss is progressive or caused by age.

It’s hard to adapt when so much of your life is suddenly changed, and for some people, this leads to anxiety and stress. In addition, many people with untreated hearing loss struggle in social situations. They may not follow conversations in groups or keep up with the banter. This can make them feel left out and isolated, which only contributes to feelings of anxiety.

The Relationship between Hearing Loss and Anxiety

It’s not surprising that hearing loss comes with a high risk of anxiety. According to the American Tinnitus Association, around 30-million Americans struggle with tinnitus or hyperacusis, and many others have undiagnosed hearing problems. This means millions are working every day just trying to get through their lives without losing what they thought was normal! So, of course, this leads them to feel anxious about their future and how quickly it could all change.

Hearing Loss Can be Treated

The good news is that if you’re struggling because you can’t hear properly, there are ways your life can improve dramatically. Hearing aids alone aren’t always enough for some people, though, which is why we offer a variety of treatments at our clinic. From hearing rehabilitation to tinnitus management, we have options to help you feel more confident and in control.

Start by talking to your hearing instrument specialist about how you’re feeling and see if there might be an underlying cause for your anxiety. You may be surprised at how much better you’ll feel once the root of the problem is addressed!

How to Deal with Anxiety if You Have Hearing Loss

If you’re struggling with anxiety and hearing loss, here are some things you can do to feel more in control of your life. Get help! Your hearing instrument specialist may be able to refer you for therapy if they suspect that there is an underlying cause like undiagnosed depression or another condition. A therapist will work with you one on one, so it’s easier to talk about the problems causing your anxiety.

They’ll also have strategies ready for dealing with stress when it occurs, which can make a massive difference over time. Use relaxation techniques every day, so they become part of your routine. This might mean meditation or yoga, but any activity that makes you focus on taking slow breaths while calming down could help.

Discuss Different Hearing Aid Styles

Hearing aids come in various shapes and sizes to fit everyone’s specific preferences and needs.

In-the-ear (ITE) hearing aids are custom made to fit snugly in the outer bowl. They’re popular because they’re small and discreet but can be challenging to keep clean.
Behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aids sit on top of the ear and are connected to an earmold that fits inside the ear canal. This type is larger than ITE models but easier to keep clean, and often has more features.
In-the-canal (ITC) hearing aids sit partly in the ear canal and discreetly. As a result, they offer a good balance of size and features.

Why Are Hearing Aids Beneficial?

Hearing aids are beneficial because they amplify sound, making it easier for hearing loss to hear what’s going on around them. They also help improve speech understanding in noisy environments and reduce the fatigue that comes with trying to listen hard. In other words, wearing a hearing aid can make life a lot easier and less stressful! Additionally, hearing aids can be adjusted at any time, which means you don’t have to feel stuck with a device that isn’t working for you.

If you or someone you love is struggling with anxiety and hearing loss, there’s a good chance the two problems are related. A hearing instrument specialist can help uncover if this might be an underlying issue and offer treatment options to make your life easier. Start by talking to your hearing instrument specialist about how you feel so they know what steps to take next! You can learn more about The Hearing Aid Place when you give them a call us today at 510-768-7091.