One of the most difficult aspects of the holidays is getting all of the family together. However, some family members may be suffering in silence this holiday season. Thousands and thousands of individuals each year are afflicted with hearing loss, impacting the way that they are able to communicate and enjoy their family members. In this article, we will take a look at the ways how hearing loss can cause negative social interactions during the holidays, how to keep hearing in check, and how to help family members who suffer from this ailment.
How Poor Hearing Can Harm The Holidays
Hearing loss presents a plethora of different problems for people during the holiday season. During this time of year the greatest joy is found by speaking with family members, old and new, to see how they have been through the year. If you suffer from hearing loss you will not be able to enjoy these close family moments. What should be a pleasant time will be replaced by annoyance and the frustration of not being able to communicate with family and friends alike. Sadly, this means that people will have to miss out on quality family time that cannot simply be made up through the season.
Also, there is a more nefarious aspect of hearing loss which occurs through this time of year. While not being able to effectively communicate with one another is troubling, there are side effects to not being able to hear properly. For example, people who suffer from hearing loss will be much more susceptible to health problems such as anxiety and depression. According to recent medical studies, not being able to speak with family members leads to social withdrawal. While depression and anxiety are two very serious conditions, they can also lead to more serious conditions such as dementia and even brain damage.
What Can We Do?
There are many different ways that you can approach helping people who suffer from hearing loss. The best way to go about this is by taking a human-first approach to the problem. If you have family or friends with hearing loss you can actively help include them in conversations so that they do not feel alone. This simple act of inclusion can make a significant impact on their positive communication. Another thing that everyone can do is to speak slowly and loudly when you are communicating with these family members.
However, there are other solutions that can help people with hearing loss. By consulting with a hearing health specialist you can examine your options to empower your hearing abilities. These specialists can fit you with a hearing aid or a cochlear implant which can dramatically improve your hearing and allow you to enjoy each family gathering during the holiday season. While hearing devices are one of the best ways to help your hearing health, a good hearing specialist will also be able to work with you towards getting other options in line for your hearing outcomes. Surgical options to repair damaged hearing structures within the ear. Hearing specialists offer many different ways, such as those outline, to improve the communicative abilities of family and friends during the holidays.
