When you first get your hearing loss diagnosis, you may feel a rush of emotions ranging from frustration at the daily difficulties of the condition to happiness at finally having answers for them. While hearing aids are a beneficial tool for managing hearing loss, it’s also crucial to effectively cope with the emotional side of the condition.
Let’s look at a few ways you can navigate this emotional rollercoaster.
Journaling
You may be familiar with the feeling that your thoughts are running around your head with no breaks to stop them. Journaling is one method to help you work through those thoughts. A few mental health benefits include anxiety and depression management and reduced stress.
Grab a physical journal from The Paper Store or start an online notes doc. Write down your hearing loss-related feelings at the end of each day and look for patterns that arise. You may notice that you were on edge during a meeting-heavy day, which suggests that group events are an emotional trigger. Over time, journaling can help you identify these stressors and find ways to control them.
Restart Your Hobbies
Many people with untreated hearing loss find themselves pulling away from all the hobbies they used to enjoy, like going to concerts, hiking or playing frisbee in the park. Hearing aids make it easier to enjoy the hobbies you used to love. Try to be proactive about reengaging with your favorite pastimes. Schedule weekly frisbee games, book concerts months in advance and don’t be afraid to try new things when the opportunity presents itself.
Talk to Your Friends and Family
Hearing loss can be isolating, and you may feel hesitant to share your experience with your friends and family. Don’t think about your hearing loss as something that you need to navigate on your own. Lean on your friends and family when you need. Talking to them about how you’re feeling, asking for their help communicating or even inviting them to your hearing aid appointment are all ways they can support you as you navigate treatment.
Treating hearing loss early and using effective strategies to manage the accompanying emotions will help you navigate this journey as smoothly as possible. To learn about your hearing loss treatment options, contact Massachusetts Hearing Group today.