We often think of hearing loss as a physical condition that only affects the ways our ears process sound, but it can also affect our mental health. Let’s take a look at how hearing loss can fuel anxiety and stress and what you can do to minimize stress in your life.
How Hearing Loss Fuels Anxiety and Stress
In a 2019 review of 25 studies, researchers found that people with hearing loss had a higher prevalence of anxiety than those without in 8/10 studies.
When you struggle to hear, social interactions can become difficult, leading to feelings of isolation, frustration and stress. The constant effort to understand others may create anxiety around social situations, causing you to withdraw. Over time, avoiding social interactions can reinforce these feelings, making anxiety and stress even worse.
Effective Stress Relief Strategies
A few ways you can minimize hearing loss-related stress and anxiety include:
- Try yoga and meditation. Deep breathing, meditation or yoga can help you relax during stressful times. Try taking a class at YogaSix New Tampa if you’re new to the practice!
- Get plenty of sleep. Lack of sleep can have an adverse effect on your mental health, increasing the likelihood of stress, anxiety and depression. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep a night.
- Read. Reading in a cozy spot is a great way to wind down after a long day, and it doesn’t require a lot of communication.
- Mental health support. If you live with chronic stress and anxiety, consider consulting a mental health specialist to help you develop effective coping mechanisms.
- Hearing aids. Hearing aids are not a treatment for chronic stress or anxiety, but they can boost communication confidence by amplifying speech and improving clarity. When you feel more confident in conversations, you may experience less communication-related stress and social anxiety, making you more likely to engage in social activities rather than avoid them.
Navigating hearing loss can be stressful, but you don’t have to do it alone. Contact Kampsen Hearing today to discuss your treatment options with one of our specialists.