Information / Resources

Effects of Hearing Loss for Family and Friends

Reference:
Leah Wilkinson Keylard
www.facialbeauty.com

October 10, 2003

As most audiologists reiterate several times, hearing loss affects the entire family. We do a great deal of counseling with the family as they have difficulty understanding the effects hearing loss may have on a person, even after the aids have been fit. Those of us with normal hearing generally take for granted the ease with which we communicate. We may miss some words due to inattention or background noise, but for the most part, effortlessly switch between different environments and modes of communication (cell phone, listening to TV) without much thought.

This is not the case for those with hearing loss. Crowded rooms overwhelm speech, phones are a challenge, even with aids as some cell phones interfere with the aids' function, while other aids are not adaptable with the phone use. Add to this the emotional and psychological adjustments to hearing loss. Our society is very intolerant to hearing loss in general, thus encouraging the denial and need to "hide" a loss. When you have a loss, many feel the need to control and plan each communication setting to avoid communication "mishaps".

As the support system for some with a hearing loss, the next few lines may give you some insight into their daily experiences with hearing loss. Repeat the words out loud to someone else and see if they understand...

Severity of Loss and the Effects on Words

Normal Hearing
Freddie thought he should find a whistle.

Mild Hearing Loss
Freddie though -e -ould -ind a whi-le.

Moderate Hearing Loss
-reddie -ough- -e -ould -i a -i-le

Severe to Profound Hearing Loss
LOUDmumble soft soft LOUD soft LOUDsoft