Untreated hearing loss can make it harder to socialize with others and sometimes even lead to isolation. The good news is that using hearing aids can help increase your social activity.
Hearing Loss Makes It Harder To Communicate With Others 
One of the earliest signs of hearing loss is that it can affect your ability to understand speech. This is because many consonant sounds are high-frequency sounds, which are most often the first to be affected in cases of sensorineural hearing loss.
You may feel like people are mumbling more often or notice that you have trouble following conversations. This can be even more difficult when you’re somewhere with a lot of background noise, like a friend’s birthday dinner at Sotto Mare.
Hearing Problems Can Lead To Frustration and Isolation
People with hearing loss have to put much more mental effort into trying to understand what’s being said. This can lead to listening fatigue and make socializing with others feel more exhausting than enjoyable.
You may also notice that you have more misunderstandings with your family or while at work. These communication issues can cause you to experience:
- Increased tension in your relationships because of communication struggles
- Anxiety about missing important information or misunderstanding a question at work
- Increased levels of frustration, stress and even anger
- Fear about trying new activities that involve socializing with people you don’t know
These fears can lead you to isolate yourself from others and add even more strain to your relationships.
Hearing Aids Make It Easier for You To Connect With Others
Hearing aids help you stay connected to your loved ones and help you regain your confidence in your ability to communicate.
A study published in 2021 found that social activity levels increased six months after being fitted with hearing aids compared to those with hearing loss who did not use hearing aids. Similarly, participants with hearing aids reported less listening fatigue and noted that they were less likely to restrict themselves from participating in social activities.
Schedule an Appointment for a Hearing Test
If you feel like hearing loss is starting to affect your social life and relationships with others, schedule an appointment for a hearing test.
If hearing loss is discovered, you and your audiologist will work together to find a custom pair of hearing aids that best meets your needs and works with your lifestyle.
For additional information or to schedule an appointment, contact San Francisco Audiology today.