Hearing Loss and The Denial Trap

Nobody likes to talk about the chronic communication disorder called hearing loss. Instead, people deny it for as long as possible. The fact that it is often called an “invisible” disability further suggests that it can be hidden, which is actually hard to do. On average, it takes 5 to 10 years before people act on their hearing struggles. 

Why the denial? It’s a lot about history…

Although younger people are joining the ranks of those with hearing challenges in increasing numbers, hearing loss is still associated with old age and weakness. Then, in the “olden days” adults and children with hearing loss were often ignored in families and communities. It was hard to talk to them and they just did not “fit in” with the others. 

Even nowadays, in a world that we consider to be more “enlightened” on the issue of disabilities, people with hearing loss are still fighting for equity and recognition. Bullying is not dead and negative biases stick. No wonder that denial still rules. 

The costs of denial – TIME! 

Denial wastes precious time. People don’t learn what the reason for their loss might be, how to protect the hearing they have left and how to prevent further damage. Depression and social isolation become their new reality as they refuse to seek help.  

However, time is of the essence. In a process called Auditory Deprivation, the hearing nerves and hearing centers of the brain are not stimulated by sound. They are left unchallenged and over time, these systems weaken and atrophy further due to disuse, which translates into worsening hearing loss. 

Although the nerves and hearing centers need input, this has to be done in a cautious and measured way. Simply turning up the music louder and louder will add noise-induced damage, which means more hearing loss. Getting an opinion from a hearing professional is always a good move.  

Get help: the earlier, the better

Know the symptoms of hearing loss: misunderstanding what is said; asking for people to repeat themselves; everybody seems to mumble; sound – speech and music – is dull; socializing becomes a chore because of the continuous hearing struggles. If any of these are true, it is time for an action plan. 

Professional hearing tests can tell a lot about the type and degree of hearing loss. It does not always have to be hearing aids. There are many different kinds of hearing devices on the market that can boost hearing in milder cases. Yet, the longer the wait, the greater the chance that such assistive listening devices (ALDs) no longer apply.

In the end… 

Hearing loss is simply another chronic condition that can be managed. As Polonius in Hamlet tells us: “to thine own self be true.” So, avoid the denial trap. It only wastes time and hurts the denier. Recognize the symptoms, accept hearing loss, act on it and move on with life.  

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 To learn more about hearing loss, please see my book on hearing loss: What Did You Say? An Unexpected Journey into the World of Hearing Loss, now in its second updated edition. Sharing my story and what I had to learn the hard way

For industry Safety Training on Noise-induced Hearing Loss prevention or for community presentations, please see this site or  email [email protected]