As much love and joy as the holidays bring, they can also be stressful, especially if you have a hearing loss. For many of us, this is the time of year that’s filled with family, friends, and social events that require energy and effort. Being attentive and engaged takes a tremendous amount of cognitive resources and if you’re missing important pieces, the load can be overwhelming.
The tendency to feel overwhelmed by auditory and cognitive demands is what puts many people with hearing loss at risk for withdrawing from fun events. It takes less effort to stay home than to focus on a conversation at the New Year’s party. However, our quality of life and joy is strongly influenced by our social network and the people in our lives. If we frequently avoid situations where we connect with others, we risk depression, loneliness, even dementia.
While you may be thinking of others during the holiday season, reserve some time for you and your health. If you have any concerns about your hearing, schedule a basic check. They are free and an excellent opportunity to get baseline information about your hearing.