"Sometimes this pain comes from external catalysts, like when a request for repetition is dismissed with a "nevermind," or when accommodations I need to communicate are not available. Sometimes it's an internal cause-when I judge myself harshly for struggling at a noisy event or choose isolation instead of risking misunderstanding. Over time, those small moments can accumulate into something heavier."
"A diagnosis of hearing loss comes with many emotions-not usually good ones. People may feel shocked or scared. How will my hearing loss impact my relationships? Will I be able to stay connected to the activities I enjoy? Can I remain a productive participant on projects important to me? These reactions are normal. Hearing loss affects communication, and communication is central to identity and connection. Taking time to process those emotions is healthy. But staying stuck in them can deepen isolation."
Hearing loss often produces psychological and emotional suffering even without physical pain. External catalysts such as dismissed requests for repetition or unavailable accommodations intensify that pain. Internal factors like harsh self-judgment and withdrawal at noisy events accumulate and deepen isolation. Mourning the changes in relationships, activities, and identity after a diagnosis is a normal part of adjustment, but prolonged rumination can become harmful. Approximately 430 million people worldwide have disabling hearing loss, including nearly 50 million in the United States, so many experience similar challenges. Processing emotions, seeking accommodations, and connecting with others support resilience and reduce stigma-driven isolation.
Read at Psychology Today
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