We often don’t notice how much hearing matters until it begins to fade. Understanding the ways hearing loss can affect daily work and social interactions can help you recognize early signs and seek treatment before these challenges become more significant.
The Impact of Hearing Loss at Work
When you develop hearing loss as an adult, the challenges you face in the workplace are mostly communication-related. The first communication barrier is background noise. Whether you work in an office or a construction zone, you’re likely to encounter a certain amount of noise at work. When you first develop hearing loss, you might recognize this obstacle as a minor or major annoyance when other people are talking around you or making excessive noise. As hearing loss progresses, this annoyance will become a more pronounced inability to communicate in the presence of background noise.
In addition to everyday background noise, you might find yourself unsure or underconfident about joining meetings or even one-on-one conversations with your peers. Over time, these communication barriers can negatively impact your career success and job satisfaction.
Finally, some employees find it challenging to work with their supervisors or the HR department when arranging accommodations. While workplaces are required under the ADA to provide reasonable accommodations to people with hearing loss, many people who develop hearing loss later in life don’t feel confident requesting them.
The Impact of Hearing Loss on Your Social Life
Hearing loss impacts your social life in a similar way that it affects your life at work, but you may notice it more in the strength of your relationships. When hearing loss makes background noise harder to sift through, you may find yourself skipping social outings for fear that you won’t be able to keep up with the conversation. Over time, pulling away socially can make it even more difficult to throw yourself back into the fold.
Hearing loss can also lead to a higher incidence of misunderstandings. For example, if your friend asked you to do them a favor, like pick them up from work at 5:15 PM, you might hear that they need you to pick them up at 5:50 PM. While the occasional misunderstanding isn’t usually a big deal, when they begin to pile up, they can put a strain on your relationships.
Communication is a two-way street, and there are many ways you and the people you’re talking to can minimize misunderstandings and make it easier for you to participate socially. Combining effective communication techniques with hearing loss treatment will get you the best results.
Treating Your Hearing Loss
Improving your workplace and social life starts with a simple hearing test. Once we identify the degree and type of your hearing loss, we can fit you with hearing aids and help you get back to clearer communication in all aspects of your life. Contact Audiology and Hearing Aid Services today to schedule your appointment.