The effects of hearing loss can be significant and impact all areas of daily life. Here are some things to consider:

Communication problems

If the individual is struggling to follow conversations, which is more common is a busy (noisy) social setting, this can lead to frequent misunderstandings. It may also lead to the people in the group ceasing to try and make/hold a conversation with a person struggling to hear.

Social Isolation

Sometimes it may seem easier to just simply not try to engage in a conversation, to not attend gatherings, and also to avoid public places. This in turn can have a negative effect on mental health.

Emotional and Psychological Effects

Especially in social situations, people may feel embarrassed, or misunderstood, and eventually isolated. Depression and anxiety are also common effects of hearing loss.

Strain on relationships

As hearing loss is gradual, it may be the partner who notices the decline first. This can lead to tensions between a couple if the people affected by hearing loss is not yet ready to accept that there is something that needs to be addressed.

Quality of life

There can be a diminished enjoyment of music, nature and conversations. A reduced confidence in social settings can lead to a decline in wellbeing and independence.

Safety Risks

Accidents and injury may be an increased risk, if a person is no longer hearing approaching vehicles, alarms, or warning signals as they used to. In a medical setting, important information about medications etc could be missed by a hearing impaired patient.

Occupational and Educational Impact

Adults with hearing loss may find that at work their job performance is reduced. Also they may experience more tiredness that usual due to having to make an extra listening effort.