An estimated 10% of people in the United States experience hearing loss. If you have just been officially diagnosed with hearing loss, it’s natural to feel the urge to ignore or dismiss the condition and your feelings about how it will affect your life.
Let’s take a look at a few tips to help you come to terms with your hearing loss and approach your treatment confidently.
Embrace Your Emotions
Even if you have been living with hearing loss for some time, it’s normal to feel a wash of emotions after a diagnosis. Whether you feel sad, confused, angry or relieved, give yourself time to sort through and embrace these emotions without judgment. Accepting your feelings is the first step towards managing your hearing loss.
Tell Your Friends and Family
Talking about your diagnosis with trusted friends or family can help you embrace your hearing loss. Discuss your emotions, good and bad, and any accommodations you need. A few ways your loved ones can pave the way for more accessible communication include:
- Speak face-to-face
- Repeat or rephrase themselves when necessary
- Choose quiet days at Floyd Lamb Park over noisy events
By asking for accommodations and sharing your emotions, you can take the next step toward hearing loss acceptance.
Get Ready for Treatment
After your hearing test, your audiologist will explain your hearing loss, identifying it as either sensorineural (due to issues in the inner ear), conductive (caused by blockages in the middle or outer ear) or mixed (both sensorineural and conductive). They will also determine the severity, ranging from mild to profound. Based on your specific type and degree of hearing loss, your audiologist may suggest hearing aids, cochlear implants, bone-anchored hearing systems or therapeutic methods to improve your communication clarity.
Embrace the Benefits of Treatment
With treatment, you can reconnect with your loved ones, tackle work meetings and enjoy simple activities like ordering a coffee or driving with renewed confidence. Embracing these improvements can help you maintain a positive outlook.
Accepting your hearing loss is not a one-time event. Your confidence may ebb and flow as you get used to hearing aids, and it can take a little while to feel fully ready to take on this new challenge. Continue participating in activities you love. Engaging in social events, hobbies and community groups will help you stay connected and boost your confidence. Before you know it, navigating your hearing loss will feel like second nature.
For more information on accepting and treating your hearing loss, contact Nevada Ear + Sinus Institute today to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.
Call Nevada Ear + Sinus Institute at (702) 735-7668 for more information or to schedule an appointment.