Like many hidden disabilities, hearing loss comes with baggage that contributes to people’s reluctance to talk about it. Hearing loss has long been associated with old age, disability, and deteriorating mental abilities. However, concealment can harm professional and personal relationships, compromising job performance and mental and physical health.
If you’ve noticed changes in your hearing and the problem is becoming worse, there’s a good possibility you don’t want anybody else to know. One of the worst things you can do for your hearing health and relationships is pretending to hear.
Why Do People Pretend to Hear?
Have you ever been to a crowded bar or restaurant with a close friend or family member? Someone starts talking to you, but the surrounding noise makes it difficult to understand what they’re saying. You request that they repeat themselves, but you are still unable to comprehend what they are saying. Do you abruptly end the conversation at that point? They appear to be delighted to be telling you about whatever it is, and you don’t want to offend them, so you smile and nod. You put on a brave face and give up trying to understand what they’re saying.
When they ask you a question, you have no idea what they’ve been talking about and haven’t heard the question. As you attempt to answer a question you didn’t hear, you’re likely to become humiliated. It should be no surprise that untreated hearing loss frequently leads to social isolation, as people who have difficulty hearing in social situations tend to avoid them.
How Is Pretending to Hear Harmful to Your Hearing?
You may unintentionally back yourself into a corner if you pretend to hear. Whatever you do, you’re going to be embarrassed when your pals discover you didn’t comprehend them and haven’t been hearing what they have been saying all evening.
It’s one thing to fake among your friends, but have you ever pretended at work? What if you didn’t understand what your boss told you to do, or if you missed a colleague’s explanation? If you don’t say you didn’t understand, you risk making a major blunder that might cost you a lot of respect, if not your job.
Here are two key ways pretending to hear and not having your problem addressed may be more harmful than you’d think:
Hearing Loss and Income Loss
Hearing loss might result in a decreased income and a higher likelihood of unemployment for those who do not use hearing aids.
Hearing Loss and Isolation
Pretending to hear may appear to be a good idea at the time, but it has a bad influence on your hearing and general health. It won’t be long before you stop seeing your pals and begin isolating yourself. As a result of social isolation, cognitive decline and hearing loss occur. This is a self-destructive loop that will land you in a lot of trouble.
Schedule an Appointment with a Hearing Consultant!
Once you realize you don’t have to keep your hearing damage hidden, you may stop pretending to hear and concentrate your focus on the activities and people that make you happy and content in life.
To schedule a hearing test, please get in touch with Hear More Associates. Our hearing consultant in Massachusetts can determine what type of hearing loss you have and assist you in choosing the best treatment options to help you hear to your full ability and stop pretending to hear for good!
