The world continues changing as we adapt to the new normal created by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Since the start of the ongoing health crisis, we’ve received encouragement to stay at home and isolate ourselves unless we’re going out to utilize emergency services, shop at stores, purchase essentials such as food and meals, or go for exercise.
The new normal requires those who can to work and attend school online to avoid large gatherings and slow how the virus spreads. One person can pass COVID-19 to others through saliva droplets, sneezes, coughs, and respiratory droplets, which is why people should engage in social distancing by keeping a minimum physical distance of six feet between themselves and other people, and thoroughly wash their hands. The ability to pass the virus through droplets by talking, laughing, and more—even if you don’t exhibit any coronavirus symptoms—makes wearing a mask or facial covering an essential part of the new normal.
For individuals experiencing mild or severe hearing loss, adapting to constant changes can be stressful, especially when they do their best to maintain their hearing health and access hearing aids and other necessary hearing and communication devices.
Current times remain challenging and uncertain, but listed below are ways to cope with hearing loss and stay in charge of your hearing health.
Explore Healthcare Options
Most health services have included telehealth options that enable patients to have remote appointments using technology with video conferencing capabilities rather than in-person visits. Video calls and teleconferences can be more beneficial for those experiencing hearing loss than phone calls because they enable lipreading. Certain video calling services, such as Skype, may provide live captions during calls, although the captioning may vary. Determine if any health coverage you have includes telehealth options.
You’ll want to utilize the best services for your hearing health and may rely on such services to offer stability during uncertain times. Hearing Health USA—the largest group of hearing care clinics independent of hearing device manufacturers in the US—can empower you to achieve better hearing and receive the hearing health education you need. If you aren’t comfortable attending in-office appointments in one of the many Hearing Health USA hearing centers across the country, Hearing Health USA offers remote telehealth appointments. Using the superior services of this hearing center, patients can receive personalized care and the latest advanced hearing aids and related technology. You can also check out Blue Angels Hearing, one of the top brands that delivers high-quality hearing aids straight to your door.
Speak to a Professional for Comfort and Understanding
While months have come and gone since the beginning of the pandemic, many people still have anxieties, fears, and unanswered questions regarding the COVID-19 crisis, and may find it challenging to adapt to the new normal. Having concerns about oneself or family members contracting the virus, health insurance, assistance with unemployment, using public transportation, or how and when businesses and brick-and-mortar schools are reopening can be overwhelming, especially when dealing with a personal change like hearing loss.
Such fears of the unknown can result in stress, excessive worry, anxiety, and impaired mental health. Furthermore, loneliness stemming from quarantining and isolating oneself can cause adverse psychological and emotional effects.
Some fears, thoughts, and emotions may hinder people from completing daily tasks. According to mental health experts at The Therapy Group of DC—a team of dedicated therapists in Washington DC—research shows 40 million Americans struggle with and experience anxiety in a given one-year period. Adults experiencing this struggle should consult an anxiety psychologist who can help them find healthy ways to cope.
Any licensed psychologist or psychiatrist at The Therapy Group has a doctoral degree, and knowledge, skill, and expertise in clinical psychology and behavior. These professionals have experience treating adolescents and adults with social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or generalized or social anxiety symptoms, panic disorder and related disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and phobias. Interventions and treatment of anxiety and related disorders may incorporate medication or cognitive behavior therapy (CBT).
The Therapy Group of DC provides clients with the same support, guidance, dedication, and service it always has amid such an unprecedented crisis. People can focus on coping with hearing loss and ever-changing circumstances by utilizing the online therapy services offered by skilled, compassionate professionals at the Therapy Group of DC.