People Experiencing Hearing Loss May Withdraw From Family And Friends

There is a vast difference between the world of hearing and the world of hearing loss. While those who can hear perfectly move through the world with no trouble understanding others, enjoying social events and taking time for the little pleasures in life. It is simple for those who hear to take a walk through a park and listen to the birds sing or the breeze move through the trees. The birds may still sing and the breeze may still blow around patients with hearing loss, but they will never be able to identify the sounds.

For someone who has lived their life in the hearing world to be suddenly plunged into a world of silence, there can be a feeling of isolation from the entire rest of the world. When there is a gradual loss of hearing, the change is subtle and not as easily identifiable. When there is an injury or trauma that leads to a sudden loss of hearing, the problem is immediately known. In both instances there are feelings equivalent to the death of a friend or family member.

In the event of hearing loss, there may be a noticeable withdrawal from family, friends and social situations. Those who can no longer hear can no longer easily distinguish conversational words, can no longer hear in crowded situations and can no longer hear softly spoken words. Patients with hearing loss often begin to avoid speaking with others, decline invitations to parties and choose to live away from the outside world.

Serious cases of withdrawal and isolation associated with hearing loss can lead to major medical conditions such as clinical depression and manic-depressive disorder. The identification of hearing loss, especially in its early stages, can allow a hearing professional to prescribe appropriate hearing aids for the patient. The use of hearing aids, used and maintained properly, can allow the patient with hearing loss to join the outside world again. The simple ability to attend a dinner party or go to the movies with family can alleviate any feelings of isolation the hearing loss patient may be feeling.

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