How Hearing Loss Limits Our Movement to Local Areas

Has your hearing recently changed and have you found yourself struggling to hear? You may have begun to feel some of the effects of living with hearing loss. You find yourself straining to hear in conversations, and often feel left out since you just can’t figure out what’s been said. You don’t communicate easily with your family anymore, and feel tension in the air whenever you try to talk about something important. The TV volume is always on high, and you avoid answering the phone whenever possible. But hearing loss affects you in more ways than you realize – particularly with your mobility in your daily life.

Hearing Loss and Limited Mobility

Did you know that continuing to live with hearing loss will limit your mobility? According to a recent study published in the Journal of Gerontology last year, researchers at the University of Jyväskylä and the University of Tampere in Finland found that seniors with hearing loss don’t leave the house as often as those with normal hearing, and when they do leave home, they don’t go very far. They’re twice as likely to limit their movement to local areas.

Untreated hearing loss makes is difficult to get around, especially outside the home. Simple tasks like crossing the street, ordering at the café, or understanding the cashier at the grocery store when she asks if you want a bag make life challenging, and can lead to embarrassment and frustration. Soon you’ll find yourself choosing to stay home rather than meeting family or friends across town. You don’t try new places anymore, and only visit the one café down the street where they know how you take your coffee. And heaven forbid you run into a friend! All that small talk leaves you stressed out. With the background sounds in the cafe you can’t really hear what’s been said, and you’re afraid you came across as rude or answered inappropriately.

Hearing Loss and Quality of Life

Living with untreated hearing loss leads to implications far beyond missing a few words here and there. Hearing loss affects your physical, emotional, and mental health is profound ways. If left untreated, it could lead to lower quality of life by inhibiting social function, and creating difficulty in communication. You may have reduced concentration, and suffer from embarrassment and low self-esteem. Those suffering from hearing loss are more likely to feel isolated, struggle with anxiety or depression, and are at a high risk of dementia.

It’s no surprise that limited movement also effects quality of life. The Finnish study researched the movement of 848 seniors aged 75 to 90 over a two-year period, and found that those with hearing loss struggled in many everyday situations. As a result, they often limited their movements to nearby and familiar places, not venturing too far from home. Doctoral student Hannele Polku commented that they “observed that older people with hearing problems have more limited life space, and that these problems lower their quality of life.” Living with hearing loss can lead you to feel handicapped, and unable to do the things you love.

Don’t Compare Yourself to Others

The Finnish study found that hearing loss is a unique experience, and affects everyone differently. Just because you have the same level of hearing loss as someone who seems to be completely happy doesn’t mean you aren’t experiencing the negative effects of hearing loss. If you like spending lots of time at home and enjoy your own company, hearing loss might not seem too difficult at first. But as Polku points out, “a person with many everyday social contacts and communication with others may feel that even a minor hearing loss may affect their everyday functioning.” This is why it is crucial for you to take a hearing test, to understand your specific hearing abilities.

How Hearing Aids Can Help

Half of older Americans over the age of 75 have hearing loss, but hearing loss is still an undertreated condition. If you’re tired of living with hearing loss, we’re here to help. Wearing quality hearing aids solves communication problems and give you back your social life, keeping your mind sharp for years to come and improving your cognitive function. They will improve your quality of life and overall health, and give you back your mobility so you’ll feel confident whether you’re crossing the street or crossing town.

If you’re tired of being held back, and are ready to live life the way you want to, visit us at Orange County Physicians’ Hearing Services today to change your future.