coping styles of people with hearing loss
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Website: Avalon Hearing Blog: Hearing-Aids-Sacramento-Ca
Blog: Hearing-Aids-Fair-Oaks-Ca Blog: Hearing-Aids-Woodland-Ca
Sacramento, CA Office (916) 930-6347
Fair Oaks, CA Office (916) 365-9081
Woodland, CA Office (530) 419-1256
Coping Styles of People with Hearing Loss
The average American waits seven to ten years before getting the help
they need for their hearing loss. Countless misunderstandings occur.
Communication breaks down. Frustration escalates. Relationships
suffer. Precious time is lost.
Each and every person has to go through their
own individual process of dealing with hearing
loss. However, studies have shown that there
are some generalities that can be made about
people’s coping strategies.
This column is based on Carol Waechter’s
articles in the SHHH Californian. Carol teaches
lip reading classes for the Long Beach Community College and is a
professional advisor for the Long Beach/Lakewood SHHH (Self Help for
the Hard of Hearing) group.
As you read the coping styles of people with hearing loss, look to see
which coping strategies you (or a loved one) use.
Denier – This person does not acknowledge his hearing loss.
Therefore, he doesn’t have to be responsible for his loss and doesn’t
have to deal with it.
Passive – The Passive realizes that he has a hearing loss and that he
could probably do something about it. However, he either chooses to
do nothing at all or just doesn’t get around to doing anything.
Something always comes up to put his hearing loss on the back
burner.
Website: Avalon Hearing Blog: Hearing-Aids-Sacramento-Ca
Blog: Hearing-Aids-Fair-Oaks-Ca Blog: Hearing-Aids-Woodland-Ca
Sacramento, CA Office (916) 930-6347
Fair Oaks, CA Office (916) 365-9081
Woodland, CA Office (530) 419-1256
Dependent – When this hard of hearing person can’t hear or
understand what is being said, he depends on his spouse or another
family member to speak up for him. He avoids making any decisions or
moves on his own, and gives up most of his power.
Criticizer – This person is good at blaming others for his inability to
hear and understand. The Criticizer will often say, “If you would only
stop mumbling, I’d hear you”. It’s the speaker’s responsibility not his.
Resigned – This person has accepted the fact that he has a hearing
loss but is resigned about it. He looks back on the days without
hearing loss as the “good old days” and believes his life is as good as it
gets. He is often heard saying, “My hearing is not very good but what
do you expect for my age”.
Strategizer – This person takes responsibility for his hearing loss and
strives to do all he can to make communication as easy as possible for
his family and friends. He typically plans ahead so he can stay in the
conversation and connected to people. For example, he’ll insist on
going to a quiet restaurant with one other couple rather than be part
of a larger group in a noisy restaurant.
Activist – Not only does this person do all he can to improve his own
communication abilities but he also takes action to help others with
hearing loss. His own experience helps him to help others with hearing
loss. And in helping others, it helps him cope with his own loss.
In Transition – Most people do not remain in one coping style forever.
People often transition between two styles. The most common
transition is from passive but learning to strategize.
Website: Avalon Hearing Blog: Hearing-Aids-Sacramento-Ca
Blog: Hearing-Aids-Fair-Oaks-Ca Blog: Hearing-Aids-Woodland-Ca
Sacramento, CA Office (916) 930-6347
Fair Oaks, CA Office (916) 365-9081
Woodland, CA Office (530) 419-1256
These people are willing to accept their hearing loss and work at being
in communication. In the long run these people have more satisfying
and fulfilling relationships.
So which one are you? Which one is your loved one? Next month,
you’ll have a chance to learn about the coping styles of spouses or
significant others.
I recommend that you keep this month’s article and then read next
month’s ALL EARS column. It could make for an important discussion if
there is hearing loss in your family! It may even transition you into
another coping style that gets you into action..
Remember, waiting too long to seek help is detrimental to you, your
hearing health and your relationships.