Communication Difficulties

A healthy relationship requires great communication. If one person is struggling with unmanaged hearing loss, communication can break down quickly. Accidentally missing requests to complete errands, questions, or even jokes and banter can lead to feelings of frustration and loneliness. 

If this dynamic goes on long enough, miscommunications can become standard. Your partner may choose not to talk about their feelings or joke around because they fear being misinterpreted or accidentally ignored which can lead to you both missing out on the smaller and more intimate moments that create feelings of closeness.
 

Missing Social Activities

Many who struggle with hearing loss find social situations stressful. Being in crowded areas with lots of people talking and music playing can make it difficult to understand what people are saying. While wanting to stay home is completely understandable, you could be doing yourself a disservice. 

If you're constantly choosing to stay home due to anxiety around your hearing loss, you could miss out on making special memories with loved ones. When your hearing health is managed, holiday parties, barbecues, and other get-togethers with friends and family can be much more enjoyable.  
 

Additional Work Stress

Work can be difficult for people with unmanaged hearing loss. Some studies have found workers with hearing loss reporting high levels of stress due to feeling self-conscious and fearful of being seen as incompetent. 

If your unmanaged hearing loss leads to a great deal of work stress, it could begin to impact your relationships. A survey from the dating website eHarmony found that work stress was the most common cause of unhappiness in relationships. Treatment options, like hearing aids, could lessen your work stress and potentially improve your relationships with your co-workers, friends, and partner as a result. 
 

Mental Health Struggles

Older adults with hearing loss are more likely to experience depression symptoms than the general population, with one study reporting that adults with deafness were 47% more likely. Hearing loss can also worsen existing mental health issues

Mental health issues like anxiety and depression can impact all aspects of your life, including your relationships with friends and family. That's why it's important to get yourself the help you deserve so you can feel happy and confident while maintaining close relationships with the people you love.
 

Visit an Audiologist 

Losing your hearing can be a very stressful experience. These negative emotions can prevent some people from visiting an audiologist or getting hearing aids. 

Given the impact your hearing can have on your relationships, you should consider seeking professional help from a Connect Hearing audiologist. Hearing aids can have a big impact on all elements of your life, as you'll have an easier time communicating with loved ones and going about your day-to-day tasks.