5 ways hearing loss can affect mental health

Posted by Matt Sadler

Deafness affects so much more than just a person’s ability to hear. From barriers to communication to missing life-saving sounds, deaf people can experience feelings of anxiety, fear and loneliness.

This World Mental Health Day, we want to shine a light on the hidden links between hearing loss and mental health.

Please note, this post contains references to suicide. Visit the NHS website for information about how to get support with your mental health.

Isolation 

“Before Harley I felt terribly isolated; cocooned in silence. When I reached the bottom of a very deep hole, I’m ashamed to say that I tried to end it all. Quite simple, without Harley, I wouldn’t be here today.” – Mary who was partnered with hearing dog, Harley, and now her successor dog, Rose

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Mary and retired hearing dog Harley, and Harley next to hearing dog Rose

Hearing loss can sever connections between a person and the world around them. The impact it can have on relationships and everyday life can become overwhelming. Sadly, because of this, feelings of isolation and loneliness are common amongst deaf people. 

Safety 

“I found it hard when my sons were growing up. When they were babies, I couldn’t hear them very well if they were crying.” – Laura, who is now partnered with hearing dog Rosie 

Missing certain sounds, such as a baby’s cry, a smoke alarm, or a carbon monoxide alarm, can cause immense anxiety for a person living with deafness. 

As a result, some people fear both being alone at home and in public places, such as changing rooms and public toilets, where they may miss a potentially life-saving sound. 

Sleep 

“I felt extremely vulnerable and isolated. I worried about missing the smoke alarm and I didn’t sleep very well. I had a vibrating alarm clock pad, but I worried about it sliding out from under my pillow” – Suz, who is now partnered with hearing dog Kimmy 

Many deaf people, including children, face issues with sleep. On top of the unsettling combination of darkness and silence at nighttime, fear of missing the smoke alarm or the alarm clock are common experiences.  

Not only can these worries themselves impact someone’s mental health, but disrupted sleep also carries risk factors for mental health issues including stress, anxiety and depression. 

Communication 

“When I started losing my hearing, I quickly found that people could not be bothered to help me understand them. At the pub, I would end up standing on my own in silence. I couldn’t follow what people were talking about and in the end, I would give up and go home.” – Jamie, who is now partnered with hearing dog Arthur 

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Following conversations, particularly in group, noisy or low-lighting environments, can be exceptionally tough for people who are deaf. What’s more, deafness is often invisible – this means others aren’t aware or reminded to adapt their communication style to support a deaf person’s understanding. 

Often, when asking someone to repeat themselves, a deaf person can be met with ‘It doesn’t matter’. Although not intentional, we’re told time and time again by our community that this can feel like someone has said ‘You don’t matter’. Feeling sidelined in social situations can result in feelings of rejection and loneliness. 

Lack of awareness 

“I was on a train, trying to go places by myself. Someone asked me to move but I didn’t hear them. So, they physically picked up my prosthetic leg and moved it.” – Devon, who is now partnered with hearing dog Molly  

Many deaf people face issues in public spaces when other people don’t realise they can’t hear. This can include being shouted at, shoved, pushed past or, in Devon’s upsetting case, having another personal boundary seriously crossed. 

These experiences can lead to feelings of anxiety or fear of going into public spaces and having to communicate with others.  

If you’re struggling, we can help 

If you relate to any of the feelings described in this blog, please know that you don’t have to face these feelings alone. We understand the challenges that living with a hearing loss can bring, and that it affects every person’s mental health differently. 

To talk through how we could support you or your loved one, please contact us at applications@hearingdogs.org.uk. For immediate mental health support, Samaritans are available 24/7 by phone on 116 123 or by email at jo@samaritans.org.

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Being deaf or having hearing loss can be an isolating experience. Many deaf people can feel cut off from other people because of the communication barriers they face every day.

You can make life easier for deaf people and people with hearing loss, and make them feel more included and connected, by being aware of a few simple things you can do to aid communication. 

To make things easier for deaf people and people with hearing loss, download your copy of our free communication guide today.

Sign up and get your free guide!

It is full of tips on how to recognise that someone may be deaf or have a hearing loss, and how you can make small adjustments to aid communication when talking to them.

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About the author

blog hearing dogs

Hi everyone, I'm Matt and I look after the Charity's social media, blog and e-newsletter.

I spend a lot of my day talking about our hearing dog superstars - it's a hard life!

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