Do you have hearing loss? Hearing impairment is challenging – faced with a lot of difficulties. Those experiencing hearing loss are struggling physically, mentally, and emotionally.
So without further ado, let’s discuss more about this topic.
Impairment occurs when there is a problem with the outer ear, middle ear, or inner ear, which can be caused by noise exposure, ear infections, disease control, or sudden impairment. Depending on the severity of the auditory impairment and the type of hearing loss, hearing aids or cochlear implants may be recommended to improve hearing. Mild impairment to moderate one can make it difficult to hear soft sounds or speech in background noise, making communication challenging.
“[Those with hearing loss] certainly understand that they’re outsiders in the hearing world, and no matter how good their skills at speaking and lip-reading, they may never completely fit in,” writes David Ludden Ph.D.
Because of the partial or complete decline of their ability to listen, disorders like depression, schizophrenia, substance abuse, and anxiety are some causes that those with auditory impairment are facing every day.
How Hearing Loss And Auditory Impairments Impact People
People who have noise-induced hearing loss also find it difficult to communicate with their care providers, as sometimes, lip-reading isn’t enough. The communication gap is the issue, and there are only a few providers who are equipped with sign language. There are different types of hearing loss: age-related hearing loss, conductive hearing loss, severe hearing loss, mixed hearing loss, profound hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss, and permanent hearing loss. All of these types of hearing loss can make it difficult for people to be fully understood. Without hearing aids or cochlear implants, they cannot express themselves vocally through speech. Furthermore, the people they are trying to communicate with have limited skills for communicating with people who cannot hear. Even those with a voice find it hard to process their emotions. What more for those with complete trouble hearing or perceiving sound waves due to loud sounds or loud noise?
“Prior to diagnosis and learning that their child may have hearing difficulties, parents often have difficulty understanding the needs of their baby,” writes Robert T Muller Ph.D.
Hearing Loss Statistics
Hearing impairment can be caused by a variety of factors, such as an ear infection, loud music, and occupational safety concerns. The degree of hearing impairment and type of hearing impairment can vary greatly and impact a person’s ability to hear sounds, particularly in one ear. Older adults may be more susceptible to hearing loss due to age-related changes in the auditory nerve. It’s important to take preventative measures such as regular tests and following occupational safety guidelines set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to maintain good hearing health.
About 15-26% of the population will experience hearing loss but to have a complete disorder even before learning the spoken language is such a challenge. Nearly seven in 10,000 people have hearing loss, and their only way to communicate is through sign language.
In the world today, wherein auditory is a valuable sense, struggling to fit in and function well, along with stress and prejudice may lead to developing mental health issues like depression or substance abuse in the deaf community.
Kids’ Hearing Loss
There are also students who have hearing loss that also suffer from developmental delays and Autism Spectrum Disorder, among others. Children with hearing loss who have difficulty communicating with their families can also be affected by mental health issues. What’s worse is that these children are also more likely to be deprived of when in school and become a victim of sexual assault.
“Deaf and hard-of-hearing populations experience abuse about one and a half times more frequently than those without hearing difficulties,” writes Mellissa Withers, Ph.D., M.H.S.
Seeking Mental Wellness Services For People Who Have Auditory Impairment
People who have hearing loss find it difficult to obtain mental health services. In a small study with 54 respondents, more than half of the respondents with hearing loss weren’t able to see and access the services that they needed for healing.
There are also times when people with hearing loss who have mood disorders are underdiagnosed due to the following:
- Lack of experienced sign language interpreters
- Things getting astray in translation
- Differentiation in how deaf people display their feelings to a mental health professional
Supplement Hearing Loss
Hearing loss can occur when electrical signals from the ear to the brain are disrupted due to damage to the tiny bones or hair cells in the ear — this is called sensorineural hearing loss. This sensorineural damage can be caused by exposing the ear to loud power tools, music, loud noise, or other loud sounds. Chemotherapy drugs can also lead to hearing loss as a side effect. In some cases, a ruptured eardrum can cause auditory impairment. It’s important to take measures to protect your ears from loud noises and seek medical attention if you experience any auditory problems.
You can’t substitute reading and writing for spoken language. Hearing loss can significantly affect vocabulary. Lip reading to communicate with those with hearing loss isn’t accurate either, with only 26-40% of adults being able to lip read.
People with hearing loss who participated in the studies said that they prefer professionals with auditory impairment to give them counseling services. The problem is that there are not many specialists who have hearing loss to cater to people who’ve lost hearing. In case you run out of ideas, you may try chatting with a BetterHelp psychologist.
The only way to deal with hearing loss is to keep on moving forward. Losing one’s hearing is a lifelong challenge.
The only way to deal with hearing loss is to keep on moving forward and adapt to the best of their abilities.
How The Auditory Impaired Community Should Be Differentiated
Mental health professionals should also know how to differentiate when a person with hearing loss shows their feelings as compared to those who don’t. For people who can hear, pounding on the floor may seem like an act of aggression, but for people with auditory disabilities, this is a standard way to get attention. Those who have auditory impairment also rely on showing strong expressions of feelings as these small details indicate their change of mood. This must be noted.
know how to differentiate when a person with hearing loss shows their feelings
Being Misunderstood – An Issue Among People With Auditory Impairment
A study concluded that people with hearing loss have a fear of being misunderstood. The participants in the study stated that there are times when they were misdiagnosed.
With that, the best people to assist those who have auditory impairment with mental health issues must also have sensorineural auditory impairment, as well. The National Association of the Deaf has more information on this matter. Professionals with little to no experience in working with people with auditory impairment should be careful in treating them.
Final Thoughts: Better Lives For The Deaf Community
Losing hearing to noise is no joke. Despite several mediums that can assist with communication after an auditory test, a lot of people with damage in their inner ear, middle ear, ear canal, or auditory nerve are still struggling to interact with other people. This leads to risk factors and psychological problems that worsen their conditions. Hence, there should be more programs and tools to be developed to help the deaf community to lead better lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 3 types of normal hearing loss due to loud noises?
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