What Are the Mental Effects of Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss isn’t just about turning up the TV volume from the on-screen “7” setting to “9” or higher, or not hearing that clicking noise that indicates you have left your turn signal on for the past twelve blocks. Nor is it about asking someone to repeat what they just said for the third time. These are vignettes that we often make light of and find humor in their content. Unfortunately, there are also some serious aspects to the difficulties of listening to and interpreting sounds and voices, including the mental effects of hearing loss.
Left untreated, hearing loss of any degree can cause emotional scars and lead to someone turning to living the life of a hermit. Dr. Cassandra Fynes knows that hearing loss may not only be a physical impairment but can also cause emotional trauma as well. Dr. Fynes has been serving Mesa and Phoenix for more than a decade. She is devoted to staying current with the latest technologies by attending and participating in training sessions and informative seminars. Every patient she sees at her Fynes Audiology practice receives the benefits of her ever-improving knowledge and skills.
Why aren’t people more tolerant when I ask them to repeat something?
After being asked to repeat something over and over, some people will lose their patience and abruptly tell you to “get your hearing checked”. Others might just shake their head and walk away from you. It’s not that they don’t want to talk with you or be around you, they just get frustrated that you don’t seem to want to do something about an obvious physical impairment.
When is the right time to see Dr. Fynes?
The time to schedule an appointment with Dr. Fynes is before you begin to experience any of the mental effects of hearing loss. If you wait too long after coming to grips with the fact that your hearing isn’t what it was or should be, the road back to leading a normal life can get quite bumpy.
What are some of the non-physical implications of hearing loss?
Untreated hearing loss can force a person to avoid conversations or shorten them to a few quick yes- and no-type questions. Using a phone is avoided at all costs. Social networking is stopped and some people with hearing-related issues will withdraw from group activities. There may even be a dramatic decrease in the quality and productivity of their work.
Other symptoms generated by hearing loss include anger (with themselves and others), anxiety, and acute frustration. One research study indicates that people with untreated hearing loss were 50 percent more likely to find themselves battling depression. Another study suggests that older adults who struggle to hear and understand voices and sound may be weakening their brain function and are putting themselves at risk for cognitive decline, including dementia.
So, don’t put off seeking professional help if you are experiencing symptoms of hearing loss. Take the first step to maintaining or regaining your quality of life by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Cassandra Fynes. Just contact us online, or call 480-456-0176
