The most important aspects of dealing with hearing loss are early recognition of the problem, thorough diagnosis via collaboration of your audiologist and GP, and stopping any behaviors that have caused or are continuing to cause the issue.
Once you have the basics down, though, there are other smaller matters you should attend to that can make your life a lot easier. In this short article, we’re going to cover three important aspects of managing hearing loss that can help make life as stress-free as possible, so that you can further reduce the impact it has on your day-to-day.
Managing Your Listening Environment
Most of us spend a lot of our time at home, and in this environment, there’s a lot you can do to optimize your home for your hearing condition.
One of the main elements to consider is reducing background noise. Whether it be appliances humming in the background, air conditioning units, or the low din of the radio, TV, or even traffic outside, these sounds collectively build to further hamper your ability to hear. Go around your house and systematically consider each noise and whether you can remove it: this won’t always be possible, but there will undoubtedly be a lot you can do to make your environment quieter and therefore less stressful.
You should also try to make sure you seat yourself strategically during a conversation, which may mean rearranging your furniture to accommodate this purpose.
Looking After Your Hearing Aids
Buying or being prescribed a pair of hearing aids isn’t a one-and-done deal. Like most pieces of wearable technology, they have to be maintained over time.
Your hearing aids can build up with dirt and wax, for example, which only makes any hearing problems you’re suffering from worse as the device’s main amplifiers become blocked. It’s also a good idea to get them regularly serviced: battery life is a common concern, for example, as charging capacity can degrade over time.
For these reasons and many more, it’s important to brush up on long-term care tips for hearing aids to ensure they’re always fit for purpose!
Be Open
Hearing loss is nothing to be ashamed of. Work on being open about your struggles: your friends and family will be more than happy to accommodate you in whichever way you need, whether it’s by making an effort to speak slightly more clearly, using more evocative hand gestures, or slowing down when they talk.
It’s important to be your own advocate. Paradoxically, the more open you are about your struggles with hearing loss, the less of an issue it becomes in public. It doesn’t have to define you, but at the same time, you should let others in so that they can work on best supporting you moving forward.
Wrapping Up
With the basics covered, there are plenty of smaller elements to consider on your journey to managing hearing loss. It’s all about regaining your freedom and control and not letting your hearing measurably impact your life, and big or small, you should employ as many strategies for reaching that ultimate goal as you can.
What do you think?