Your reactions

Hearing loss is a very common phenomenon. As many as 10% of the world population are hearing impaired.

Digital hearing aids can help people with a hearing loss use their remaining hearing effectively. However, this does not change the fact that the ability to communicate effortlessly with other people is not the same as in people with normal hearing.

The extra ‘listening work’ associated with hearing impairment and other people’s and one’s own reactions to the hearing loss can make heavy demands on both body and psyche.

A hearing loss therefore often involves a number of practical challenges. These challenges can develop into minor or major personal crises if they are not dealt with.

In our encyclopedia, you can read more about the emotional reactions to hearing loss and how to best tackle these feelings. Read more about commonly occurring feelings such as isolation, shame, guilt and depression.

You decide

Reduced hearing ability is a loss and a limiting factor, but it is important to constantly make sure not to let the hearing loss take over and rule your life.

Listening work requires a lot of energy

Fatigue
Read more about how to minimise tiring listening work.

Muscular tension
The extra listening work associated with hearing impairment can lead to muscular tension and pain in your neck.

Did you know…

The majority of hearing impaired people feel isolated and have low self-respect due to their hearing loss.

Many hearing aid users have increased their self-confidence and physical well-being and obtained a generally improved quality of life by using hearing aids.

Be open about your hearing loss

It is worth-while being open about one’s hearing loss. Do not try to conceal the fact that you have a hearing loss. If you are open about it, the people around you are better able to help and show consideration.

Ask for help in difficult listening situations – and let select people from your personal life and from work know how they can support you in your communication with others.

Self-help group
Participating in self-help groups is a good way to deal with the situation of having a hearing loss. Talking with others with the same experience as oneself can help restore one’s feeling of equal worth.

Stories from people with hearing loss
Read about how hearing impaired people experience their hearing loss.