One of the most common hearing losses is high-frequency sensorineural hearing loss. When this happens, there is high-frequency speech information that becomes difficult to hear. Most consonants fall into this category, such as: “f”, “s”, “sh”, “th”, and “p”. When it is difficult to hear consonants, it is more likely that you will mistake one word for another or miss words altogether in conversation.
When we have hearing loss, we will often adapt by using visual information (e.g., watching people’s faces and lips move) to fill in the blanks and missing pieces of the conversation. This strategy becomes more challenging in large group gatherings while trying to follow multiple talkers while watching TV where people do not always face directly toward the camera, and when people are wearing masks. With hearing loss, we will struggle more in these situations, asking for more repetition, missing things, or mishearing conversations.
It is common when we have hearing loss to believe we are hearing fine and that others do not speak clearly, or mumble. The reason this is common is because hearing loss is insidious and occurs so gradually over time that reduced hearing simply becomes the “new normal” and hearing loss sufferers become less aware of what they used to be able to hear.
When hearing loss is present, greater levels of concentration are required to carry on communication in challenging listening environments. Often this will result in the gradual deterioration of quality of life (at minimum) and as hearing loss goes untreated it can even lead to withdrawal from social situations and harm relationships.
Relationships with friends and family can be negatively affected by our hearing loss and our friends and family members may also be the first to notice when cannot hear. A seeming unwillingness or lack of motivation on our part to do what we can to correct our hearing loss can be both frustrating and difficult for our communication partners.
Friends and family members who attend appointments can hear an approximation of how their loved one hears through hearing loss simulation technology. This can be both enlightening and help communication partners gain a better appreciation for hearing difficulties. In turn, they will provide valuable support when we’re ready to move forward with hearing aids.