Fight the Holiday Blues This Season by Treating Hearing Loss

Fight the Holiday Blues This Season by Treating Hearing Loss

The holidays are officially in full swing, with the grand finale of New Year’s just around the corner. The hustle and bustle of shopping, parties, dinners and mistletoe can be very exciting for some. For others, however, the holiday season can bring feelings of sadness, loneliness and isolation. There are many different ways to fight the holiday blues such as taking a vacation or “staycation” during the season, however, what if there was a more permanent way to keep the blues away during the holidays?

Holiday Blues and Hearing Loss

There have been vast and various studies, throughout decades and across the world, that show a strong connection between untreated hearing loss and depression, sadness, and isolation. For anyone struggling with these symptoms, the holidays can be especially difficult. When untreated hearing loss is added to the mix, holiday blues may feel extremely overwhelming. Untreated hearing loss often leads to frustration with conversations, especially at large gatherings or noisy spaces. With your daughter-in-law’s love of blaring Christmas music, the grandkids squealing over their gifts, and the general noise of holiday cheer – these frustrating conversations can make the holidays feel anything but merry. Often, this frustration leads those with untreated hearing loss to avoid these festive gatherings, which unfortunately deepen the feelings of loneliness or isolation.

Executive Director of the Better Hearing Institute, Sergei Kochken, Ph.D., explains the specific concerns of those with hearing loss over the holidays when he states, “The holiday season is meant to be a time of thanks, celebration and joy … but for many people, it is a time of year when unaddressed hearing loss can cause them to feel particularly isolated and depressed. Even when surrounded by loved ones, a family member’s impaired ability to hear and actively participate in conversation cuts them off. Oftentimes, they are left with a sense of sadness, inadequacy and emotional isolation. This is especially true when the hearing loss is either unrecognized or is being ‘hidden’ by the family member with hearing loss.”

Beating the Holiday Blues – Even with Hearing Loss

There are many ways to beat the holiday blues this season, and we’ve listed some of our favorites here:

  1. Reach Out & Speak Up – Your friends and family want you to be involved and be part of the conversation – that is why they are talking to you! Be sure to communicate with your loved ones about your hearing needs so they can accommodate you by facing you when they talk, moving to a quieter area or turning down the background music.
  2. Connect & Attend (even if you don’t want to) – It’s easy to simply avoid the frustration of struggling with hearing by skipping all the holiday events. Doing this only increases the likelihood of further depression. Make plans to attend the parties and gatherings and follow through. Often, we end up happier that we went (especially when we communicate our hearing needs so hosts can accommodate).
  3. Embrace Traditions – What are those fun holiday traditions you used to enjoy? Did you love baking cinnamon buns or taking a morning walk? Whatever your beloved holiday traditions, connecting with them can sometimes be a great way to shake the blues.
  4. Give Back – There are always awesome opportunities to volunteer over the holidays. Work at a toy drive, serve at a food kitchen, or become a “Christmas Angel.” Whatever you decide to do, volunteering can help you feel more connected to yourself and others.

Our Favorite Way to Beat the Blues? Get Your Hearing Checked.

Just as there are many studies that connect untreated hearing loss and depression, there are equally as many studies that correlate treating your hearing loss with hearing aids and improved happiness and quality of life.

If you think you are experiencing some of the signs of hearing loss, don’t wait one more holiday season to get your hearing assessed. Hearing aids of today are sleek, discreet, and packed with awesome features to make your hearing feel effortless. Why suffer through another holiday season while struggling to hear? Reach out to our friendly team today, we look forward on working with you on your journey to better hearing and an improved quality of life.

From all of us at Desert Valley Audiology, we wish you and your family a safe, happy, and healthy holiday season and a prosperous New Year.