Struggling to keep up in noisy environments like restaurants and parties? Having difficulty understanding conversations in work meetings?
The unpredictability of social interactions, recreational or professional, makes them incredibly tricky to navigate with hearing loss. Multiple conversations simultaneously, grating cacophony, dim lighting, and distance from speakers make communication difficult or impossible to understand.
They’re environments that are hard to control. They’re not usually a quiet room where you have someone who’s seated directly across from you so you can easily watch their face for visual cues and pick up most of their words. —Dr. Sarah Sydlowski
Why it matters
People with untreated hearing loss experience more mental and physical fatigue because their brains have to work harder to separate speech from disorganized sounds in noisy places.
- Untreated hearing loss discourages socializing and promotes isolation, frustration, and unhappiness.
- Social isolation is unhealthy because it increases the risk of anxiety and depression.
- In comparison, regularly enjoying the company of family, friends, and colleagues promotes meaningful relationships, a key ingredient for mental health and happiness.
I frequently see people living with hearing loss who have decided not to go to the social events that they like to go to,” says Dr. Sydlowski. “Or when family comes over for a big get together, they sit on a couch over in the corner and watch the activities rather than directly engaging with them. —Dr. Sydlowski
What to do
If you suspect hearing loss, schedule a free hearing screening with an audiologist to determine if you have and, if you do, how much and whether or not it should be treated now or later.
In addition, you might find the following practical, no-tech tips from Dr. Sarah Sydlowski, an audiologist at the Cleveland Clinic, helpful when you’re struggling to hear in noisy places.
- Try smaller gatherings and look for quiet corners for conversations.
- Suggest your conversation partners speak facing you, slowly and clearly, not loudly.
- Sit close to the speaker.
- Position yourself facing away from the clamor.
- Ask for ideal seating in restaurants or meetings.
Are you struggling to hear conversations?
Call to schedule a free, 15-minute hearing screening with an audiologist. Don't guess about hearing loss. Find out.
If you have hearing loss, your audiologist will explain —
- How much hearing you've lost
- Whether your hearing needs treatment
- The hearing-aid options available to treat your hearing loss
Don't let untreated hearing loss threaten your relationships and happiness.
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